WHEN new mum Steph Douglas gave birth to her first child, she received a flurry of flowers which sparked an idea for a new business venture.

She started Don’t Buy Her Flowers, a gift package service which delivers a selection of presents to new mothers and anyone in need of some TLC.

Steph, 35, launched her new premises in Inchbrook, Nailsworth in September, after running the business from home.

She said: “When I had my first baby, I received eight bunches of flowers, we didn’t have a lot of space and we certainly didn’t own multiple vases.

“I had to give them away or bin the least fresh to make way for the most recent.

“I felt completely overwhelmed with everything – the baby, the visitors, the bodily functions – and trying to arrange flowers and then dispose of them was all a bit much.”

Steph’s brother, Chas Earley, 39, prompted the move to the Five Valleys – a place which still feels like home and where all of Steph’s family live – after offering to run the business as head of operations.

Mother to Buster, five and Mabel, four, Steph just launched two new lines, the Man Package and the Gin Package.

“One customer got in touch to say her sister's boyfriend was having treatment for cancer and she wanted to show her support but couldn't find anything suitable.

"Others have wanted to send something for dad as well as for the mum after the arrival of a baby,” she said.

The Man Package features a choice of magazine, socks, coffee or craft ales, biscuits, a food voucher and nuts and the Gin Package includes two flavours of gin, a food voucher, giant chocolate buttons and crisps as well as hardback copy of ‘Hurrah for Gin’.

Visit the website for more information: http://www.dontbuyherflowers.com