Mumpreneur launches "shoes that squeak for tiny feet" at Shrewsbury Flower Show

Abigail Barker will officially launch her own range of the pretty leather shoes at Shrewsbury Flower Show on August 10 and 11 where she will have a stand in the craft marquee.

She claims the shoes, which come with a removable squeak in the heel, also have the benefit of encouraging youngsters to learn to walk because children love activating the sound.

Abigail and her husband Richard, of Minsterley, near Shrewsbury, developed the idea for the business, called Tiny Squeak, after buying a pair of squeaky shoes for their daughter, Sienna, while on holiday in Canada last year.

“We bought them because we loved the design and it was only when we got home that we realised they squeaked. I thought they were a great idea. Searching for similar shoes in the UK I couldn't find any, so decided to develop my own range, explained Abigail.

Sienna, now two, loves the shoes so much she has them in almost every colour.

"When I get her up from a sleep, her first words are usually shoes!” said Abigail.

"Sienna didn't start walking properly until 16 months. We got her first pair of squeaky shoes at 15 months and she would stamp her feet because she loved the sound of them. The squeak gave her the encouragement she needed to start walking solo and soon she was off, squeaking all over the place, excitement etched across her face."

And like most independent-minded toddlers Sienna doesn't like holding her mum's hand when out-and-about.

"But hearing the squeaks I always know where she is. I love the security aspect of the shoes, added Abigail.

The range, in sizes three to six, includes leather shoes, boots and sandals. Abigail works with designers to come up with colour combinations and styles she likes.

And if all that squeaking drives parents mad, they can simply take the squeak out.

Abigail has also developed a Pipsqueak range of soft-soled pram shoes and she is available for Tiny Squeak parties in the Shropshire area.