A construction worker and a mother-of-seven have been spreading festive gloom with a Grinch double act at children’s doorsteps, Christmas parties and nursing homes.

Rachel and Izzy Zort, from Herne Bay, have been travelling across east Kent delivering customised decorations and a serving of playful 'bah humbug' to boot.

Their small business venture has exploded in popularity in the past week and the married couple predict that by the time the 25th comes around, they will have clocked up more than 100 visits.

“It’s been mad, I didn’t expect it to go off like it has, but we’re really happy it’s going so well ” said Rachel, 33.

“I make personalised baubles for each child and my husband dresses up like the Grinch, so he turns up and does a few funny things.

“I just want people to have fun. We’ve had a really rubbish past couple of years, haven’t we?

“People are finding it financially hard at the moment and we just wanted to do something people can afford and it’s nice, it makes us feel good too.”

By day, Izzy, 42, is a construction worker, but at 6pm he dons a full-body Grinch costume and gets to work with his wife, doing as many as seven visits a night.

One of the pair’s regular bits in the routine includes Rachel getting the children to try and convince the Grinch to like Christmas and share his sweets with the kids.

Although he felt nervous on his first outing, Izzy has since become comfortable in his role.

“The most fun I’ve had with it is when the kids get involved and dance with me,” said Izzy.

“Seeing the smiles on their faces and them saying they watch me every day on telly, that’s so cute.”

The act has not only proved an enjoyable side-gig for the couple, but also a welcome distraction at a difficult time.

“We actually did our first visit the day my grandad died,” explained Rachel.

“So trying to get going was really difficult, but we did it and I think my grandad would have wanted that so we put on a brave face and we smashed it.”

In just a few weeks, the Grinch act has become so popular that Rachel and Izzy now have designated days for Faversham, Canterbury, Dover and other Kent towns to maximise efficiency.

They charge £10 per visit with a £1 fee extra per additional child. Reservations can be made through their Facebook page.