A glittering new business has just been launched in Whitehaven and it is the only one of its kind in the area, rather like the star of the venture - a unicorn!

Stacey Gribbin, 33, from Whitehaven and business partner, Emma Adams, 38, from Cleator Moor, recognised a gap in the market, after Stacey tried to find a unicorn that could come and provide some sparkle at her niece's birthday party.

But after searching, she found that unicorns are so rare that there was no local unicorn handler in this area at all.

Several months of work has been spent getting all the necessary permits and insurance in place in order to look after the unicorn - who bears a strong resemblance to Todd a white Welsh 12 hands horse - and now they are ready to launch the business on November 17 by appearing at The Rum Story. They are also delighted to have secured the talents of qualified fairy, elf and ballerina, Natalie Hall, 16.

Stacey said there has been a huge interest in their business 'When You Believe'.

They will be helping Santa out in a grotto at the Rum Story, on November 17, to coincide with the town's lights switch on, then every Saturday there until December 21.

She said: "We've had a very important phone call from the North Pole, requesting help from our unicorn. Santa has informed us that there's so many children on the 'nice list' this year, that the sleigh is far too heavy for his reindeers to pull on their own.

"We couldn't see Christmas cancelled so we've offered the help of our Christmas unicorn."

With a £10 ticket children will get the chance to see the unicorn, Santa and his elf and receive a gift. They will also get the chance to enter a competition to name the unicorn.

Manager of the Rum Story, Nadia Hoque, said: "The Rum Story is pleased to be able to provide the space and think it's great for the kids to be able to come and meet Santa and the unicorn."

In the New Year the business will be open for events across Copeland and Allerdale, such as children's birthday parties and weddings.

Stacey and Emma are both experienced horse women, which they say will help with working with the elusive magical creatures, as horses and unicorns share many features.

Tickets for the Christmas grotto are available by contacting the Rum Story in Whitehaven on 01946 592933.