A PENWORTHAM artist has fulfilled a lifetime ambition after crafting a set of figurines for a design company given the Queen's seal of approval for supplying gifts to state dignitaries and officials.

Lisa Couperthwaite, of Gaskell Road in Lower Penwortham, was approached by the designers of the world famous Wedgewood company -- which holds a royal warrant -- after winning a competition at university three years ago.

Now her figurines, modelled on her eldest child Jake, are on sale next to designers as well known as Jasper Conran.

Lisa, 30, said: "It was the last day before we finished for Christmas and there was a message on the answer machine -- I was through the roof!

"When the line was launched my designs were in a case next to Jasper Conran's!"

Lisa, a former pupil of Priory High School, Crow Hills Road, Penwortham, learnt her craft after going to the University of Central Lancashire, Preston.

While she studied on the three-dimensional design in ceramics and tableware course her talent was spotted by Coalport -- a division of Wedgewood -- after winning a university competition.

Following her graduation in 1999 Lisa was snapped up by Coalport before launching a freelance design career which she still enjoys today.

Lisa's line of 12 white figurines were launched two years ago and manufactured by sculptors across the UK.

She said: "Coalport contacted me about six months after graduation to ask me to do that range for them!"

Busy mother Lisa uses her eight-year-old son Jake as a model for the 'Moments' range of China figurines.

She said: "Jake and Dylan, who's 17 months, prove a big source of inspiration for me.

"I tone down my work for Coalport. I'm more into artists like Francis Bacon -- my designs are more abstract. I would like to go and develop my own figures at some point."

Next up for Lisa will be to design a range of figures for a leading high street jewellers -- although the name of the company is currently a closely guarded secret!

For information on her designs e-mail Lisa at mark.couperthwaite@freeserve.co.uk for details.