A SHEPPEY couple have launched their first business venture by opening a shop which sells unusual gifts and food.

David Crane, a former computer analyst, and his wife Cheryl, who was a nurse, have left their past careers behind to open Nice Products From Around the World, in Sheerness High Street.

The couple, who live at Minster, originally wanted to start a catering service, making and selling cakes. The idea developed and now they sell produce and gifts from many countries.

Mr Crane said their stock includes collectables like boat and aeroplane models, to reflect Sheppey's connections with the sea and early flights, quiches, cheesecakes, Greek sweets, Belgian chocolates and Poilane bread from France.

He added: "We are negotiating with Wedgwood to sell their pottery. They do various things, including tableware and clothing."

The couple have toured Belgium and France, buying products to sell and regularly search the Internet to find unusual delicacies and gifts.

"We realised that almost every one of the shops we visited sell gifts as well as food, so we developed the idea of selling our own gifts."

One of their most popular foods is Jamaican loaf which they bought from a Caribbean cash and carry outlet. The loaf and other Caribbean products have been selling well.

Other products in demand include rum fudge, brownies and fortune cookies.

Mr Crane said: "We bought a box of 400 fortune cookies and we have practically sold half of them already. They are very popular with children."

He is also selling stick-on visors for cars which drivers can clip on their existing ones to give their eyes extra protection.

The couple, who love cats and have two of them at home, plan to use a picture of Moggy, a cat licking its lips, as their business logo. Moggy is currently pictured on the signboard above their shop at 47 High Street.

Mr Crane is designing a website for the business called www.niceproductsfromaroundtheworld.com where customers will be able to order goods. Eventually, the couple hope to deliver goods to people's homes if they live within reasonable distance and order a certain amount.

He is also planning a newsletter to distribute to holiday and caravan camps and other outlets.

The shop, opposite Woolworth's, is open from 9am to 5.30pm from Monday to Saturday, although it is temporarily shut on Wednesday afternoons in February.