A CHEF is hanging up his apron after more than 20 years to offer a play area for the children of South Lakeland.

Andrew Nixon, 38, from Holme, will be opening his franchise business of Tumble Tots, designed to develop children's physical skills.

Classes will begin at Preston Patrick Memorial Hall next Friday (April 27).

"I have always fancied becoming my own boss and running my own business," said Mr Nixon. "I always thought this would have been in food, but sometimes you need to take a chance, and this opportunity was here so I thought why not.

"I want to be able to offer fun physical play to children in the area. There is no kind of soft play in the Kendal area, to help give them skills for life."

A father of two young children, Mr Nixon noticed that his gruelling hours as a chef could cut his family time, and came across the new career opportunity by accident.

"After attending my nephew's Tumble Tots birthday party last year, I saw how much fun people were having, and thought this would be a fantastic idea in the South lakes and North Lancashire," Mr Nixon said.

"After doing some research I found there wasn’t anything like this in the area, so I took the opportunity to bring this fantastic programme to the area."

Mr Nixon also feels like he can offer an example to dads in the area.

"I feel I can bring a different style with this, because a lot of baby and toddler events and programmes are run by mums, so being a dad doing this I hope I can encourage other dads [to take part]."

Preparations are in full swing for the new franchise opening at the end of the month.

He said: "There are times I think that I have put a lot on the line for this, from using our savings to buy the franchise and giving up my career of 22 years, so I need to make it work."

Classes also start today at Ellel Village Hall at Galgate.

For more information, visit www.tumbletots.com/lancaster