THE ghost of an artist who died half a century ago has inspired international designer Dawn Seddon.

Dawn, 31, (pictured right) from Culcheth claims she is "ruled by the moon" and the stars are certainly pointing her in the right direction.

She has just landed a lucrative deal with English Enamel for her imaginative Circus of the Moon trinket box design, and says she is inspired by the spirit of Czech artist Alphonse Mucha.

"I sometimes look at my work and say to myself 'you cannot have done that all on your own'. You must have been inspired," says the artist who has also been commissioned to create Royal Doulton plate designs.

"I know it is Alphonse Mucha's spirit which helps me. It isn't at all frightening, in fact I feel quite privileged.

"I don't feel he is with me all the time, but, he is there when I need help."

Her Circus of the Moon fantasy world features on seven trinket boxes she's designed for English Enamel and which are just hitting the shops.

They feature a troop of brightly dressed animals which have already featured on stationery, calendars, balloons, needlework, clothing, cards and mugs.

Now she is putting the finishing touches to a book about her menagerie who she says live in beautifully painted gypsy caravans and travel from rainbow to rainbow performing lively circus acts.

She confides: "Circus of the moon just came to me overnight.

"I paint mostly at night, I love the night time. When the moon is out and the stars are high in the sky there is great peace.

"I am ruled by the moon. Cancer is my birth sign. I am interested in ecology and the environment.

"My magical animals who have all the magical; parties are real to me and reflect many people.

"My late grandmother is Mother Moon Monkey who sews all the party clothes, my great grandfather is the monkey Mr Paintbox who paints all the wagons.

"My mother Daisy Lou is the biggest and wisest elephant and then we have Critchley the naughty monkey, but it's a secret who he is named after."

Dawn, who left college and turned down an apprenticeship with a large china company to pursue a freelance career, has been on an upward spiral since she took a stand at a gift fair.

Now the world beckons and soon she will be journeying to New York to discuss more exciting ventures.