A HUSBAND and wife team from Tavistock who create personalised works of art have launched their first book.

Steve Wilson and Lucy Tapper started a company called Lucy's World three years ago, with the aim of producing, writing, and creating personalised, illustrated artwork, gifts and children's books.

Their dream has come true with a successful business, celebrity customers including Holly Willoughby and Fearne Cotton — and now the release of 'Hedgehugs'.

Steve is a televison presenter, with many years presenting experience with CBBC, CITV, and Nickelodeon, and now works for ITV's 'This Morning' programme.

Lucy is an illustrator and writer and the creative force behind Lucy's World, as well as other products on the market like the popular 'Our Story' books published by From You To Me Ltd.

Steve said: 'Lucy and I are so excited about the release of our new book.

'Creating children's books together has always been our dream and now we are able to share our creations with the public.

'We are particularly looking forward to seeing the book in our local schools, libraries and bookshops.'

The idea for the book came about one day when Lucy doodled two little hedgehogs, and when she showed them to Steve, he used his passion for poetry and song-writing to write the book.

The book, published by Maverick Arts Children's Books, features Horace and Hattie Hedgehog who are the best of friends but there is one thing they cannot do and that is they cannot hug — they are just too spiky.

Lucy created the characters and backgrounds using old baby clothes and it was destined that a story was needed for these two loveable hedgehogs.

Lucy's World creates personalised illustrated artworks to celebrate new babies, marriage, christenings, birthdays anniversaries and families.

The beginning of Lucy's World saw Lucy create personalised cards for friends, and with the positive feedback she received, decided to send some samples to 'Moonpig.com', which the company accepted.

It was with her first royalty cheque that Lucy took a 'leap of faith' and purchased 15 bespoke frames — made by Tavistock Picture Framing Gallery — created some samples and approached 'Getting Personal', and she started to sell her artworks.

At the beginning of 2012 she had enough money to create her own website and to pay the joining fee on 'Not On The High Street.com'.

The highlight was the day Lucy realised 'Lucy's World' could pay not only her, but also give Steve a living. Steve sold his bike shop and they now both work full time on the business. They love working together and being together as a family, with their two children.

To purchase the 'Hedgehugs' book visit http://www.maverickbooks.co.uk">www.maverickbooks.co.uk