A young woman from Carlisle has set up an online business to meet the needs of new-born babies.

Lydia Winder, 24, launched Babbas last week with a loan from Enterprise Answers, the not-for-profit company that provides loans to Cumbrian businesses that have been rejected by the banks.

The website – www.babbasonline.co.uk – aims to give new mums and dads a place to shop for clothes and accessories, and to provide information and advice about becoming a parent.

Miss Winder, who is originally from Penrith and attended Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, graduated from Lancaster University with a degree in law in 2010. She later joined Burnetts Solicitors in Carlisle.

She said: “I wanted a challenge and knew that starting my own business was the direction I needed to take.

“With the support of my family, and Enterprise Answers, this is something I have been able to achieve.

“There is now just a lot of hard work ahead to get the brand up and running.

“My degree and experience in working in law has really benefited the business and I have been able to utilise many skills to ensure Babbas will be successful.”

The website stocks clothes for babies up to 12 months from brands such as Snugglebundl, Poddle Pod, Hauck, Mushroom & Co and Cloud B.

There are also accessories including changing bags, feeding aids and car seats. Miss Winder says that, while many baby web sites are aimed at mums, she wanted to cater for dads too.

She also says that Babbas is a place where parents can shop for premature babies.

It allows them to order items that can be delivered direct to the maternity unit, taking away some of the stress during difficult times for new parents.

Miss Winder is writing a Babbas blog to support new parents and provide information about baby charities.

She hopes to raise funds for charity through the web site.

Michelle Moore, business support officer at Enterprise Answers, believes the business will succeed.

She said: “Lydia is really passionate about Babbas, which offers something new in the market place.

“She has lovely products, a great brand and we are sure she will be really successful.”