THREE pugs and a schnauzer are the stars of a range of greetings cards showing them enjoying walks in Tatton Park.

Owners Ross Thomas and Nicholas Child launched their greetings card business The Grumble and Co from their home on King Street in Knutsford two years ago.

The cards feature Nicholas' drawings of the couple's four dogs - pugs Minnie, Tilly and Ruby and Lottie, the schnauzer - and after generating interest from stockists across Cheshire, the pair are now hoping to sell their cards across the country and even abroad following a hugely successful trip to London for Progressive Greetings Live, an international trade show for people in the greetings card business.

Thirty-two-year-old Nicholas has had a passion for art since he was a child and, after giving up a secure and successful job in management two years ago when he turned 30, he decided to turn his love for drawing and his pet dogs into a business venture.

Nicholas said: "All of our dogs have been re-homed and we decided to name the business after them with the grumble being Minnie, Tilly and Ruby and the co being Lottie.

"I usually do a quick sketch of what I want the card to look like and then a line drawing before editing them on the computer."

He added: "The response to the cards has been amazing and the feedback is great.

"We're starting to get a name for ourselves and big companies are expressing an interest saying they like our brand and style and that the idea is unique."

The company's 92 card designs are stocked at various locations throughout Cheshire including Church on the Hill, which has the cards featuring dogs, White Orchid, florist, which has specially-commissioned floral cards, The Lambing Shed, The Smoke House in Mobberley and The Hollies in Tarporley.

To view the full collection of designs or for more information about the greetings card business visit www.thegrumbleandco.com