In a world that's becoming increasingly digital for people of all ages, one Carlisle woman is seeking to bring the pure joys of yesteryear to new generations.

Sophie Thornton, who runs the Carlisle-based online business Little Fawn, supplies high quality hand-crafted wooden toys to parents across the world.

Herself a single mum to son Henry, Sophie said that ever since he was born she has found a growing appreciation for wooden toys.

Without batteries or flashing lights, Sophie says that the power of wooden toys is that children have to rely on their own inner creativity to instead bring them to life.

"Children have to use their imagination and create a play world of their own," Sophie said.

Sophie took on Little Fawn in March of this year, after it had been trading for nearly two years beforehand.

She explained that her decision to take on Little Fawn arose as a result of facing the daunting task of juggling both working life and raising her son, which eventually began to affect her mental health to the extent that she decided she had to leave her previous job.

"I didn't know what I wanted to do at that point but I did know I wanted to be able to still have a flexible role to allow me time with my young son," Sophie said.

"When I spotted Little Fawn come up for sale not long after I left my previous job it seemed like my stars had aligned for a change - an opportunity to perfectly tie in my work life with my home life in an enjoyable way."

The flexibility of running an online-only business is perfect for Sophie, as it allows her the space to take the time she needs to care for Henry.

Little Fawn is growing steadily as a business, and is one of only a few companies who stock brands such as Cockermouth-based Steampotts Wooden Curiosities.

As well as having an undeniable nostalgic charm, there are plenty of very modern reasons as to why wooden toys should be in any child's toy box.

"Wooden toys have the benefit of being eco-friendly, sustainable, more durable and attractive all while being immensely beneficial for the cognitive, social and physical development of children," Sophie explained.

Sophie enjoys being able to provide something different for her customers that cannot be found in many high street stores.

"I think that makes it so much more special when you give a unique present," she said.

"I've always been a big believer in independent shops. I like being able to buy something a bit different, something you won't find in every shop."

She also feels there is a particular value in the craftsmanship that goes into the toys that she sells.

"A lot of the toys I stock are handmade and that requires a lot of time and skill and is very much a dying art.

"If people don't buy these toys then those skills will disappear forever which would be such a shame for future generations."

Taking on Little Fawn in the same month as the Covid-19 lockdown was imposed will have been particularly daunting for Sophie.

However, as an online-only retailer, Sophie explained that thankfully there has been little negative impact on her business as a result of the pandemic.

"I am very lucky that Little Fawn is all online so the only real negative impact was slightly restricted post office hours for sending parcels out," she said.

"I've also had one supplier order put on hold indefinitely as they struggled to get their supplies to make the toys due to coronavirus."

Sophie did in fact see a slight rise in the number of orders as lockdown began, as parents sought to find new ways to entertain their newly housebound children.

Again, as an online-only business, unlike many firms with a physical retail space Sophie has not had to significantly adapt how the business in run in the face of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

"Although, of course, I ensure that I am taking the necessary precautions to operate the business in a safe way," Sophie said.

The greater challenge for Sophie since March has been adapting to not having the guaranteed salary of working for someone else.

"I am trying to steadily grow Little Fawn so I just have to remind myself at times that bills have to be paid before reinvesting in more stock," Sophie said.