BOSSES at a toy firm in East Lancashire can afford to smile after sweeping the board at an awards ceremony voted for by mums.

Medals galore were presented to Accrington-based Halilit at the Made for Mums Toy Awards.

For managing director Judith Stark, the glut of honours is especially welcome as the Abbey Street trader gears up for the all-important Christmas rush.

Their Edushape textured pop-up blocks and All Around Me gym from Taf Toys garnered two golds at the ceremony.

And they notched up a silver for Taf's Hunny Bunny Stacker and a bronze for Battat's Dalmatian Vet Kit.

Another four distinctions were handed out, with their Prince the Penguin Soother and Koala Tummy Time Book, two more Taf products, Battat's Rain and Shine Bath Bar and the Halilit Toddler Music Orchestra each named as a finalist in their own sections.

Judith said: "I’m especially pleased that the Toddler Music Orchestra was recognised.

"We are doing a massive blogger outreach campaign in the run up to Christmas, a real show -topper, to help drive consumer sales."

Some of their other ranges include Interstar, an interactive range of connectable shapes for pre-schoolers, which can come as rings, animals, blocks, bricks and wheels.

Another favourite is Truedough, which allows youngsters to mix their own dough before crafting their own designs with cutters and moulds. The company is also involved in promoting its own range of early years musical instruments.