Like all mothers, Sophie Dean put her career on hold to start a family.

Yet alongside changing dirty nappies and preparing meals, she and her business partner have found time to kick start a new venture serving afternoon tea and bubbles from a converted horsebox.

Pretty Little Tea Co. was launched this year by marketing executive Sophie and her colleague Sarah Moroney.

Since then the pair have been pitching up their bunting-draped horsebox, named Rosie, at private parties and events, where they serve sandwiches and homemade cakes, with the obligatory glass of Prosecco.

"Sarah and I always wanted to do something for ourselves and we love working with the public," said Sophie, who lives in South Darenth with husband Sean and children Rosa, two, and Eve, aged five months.

"Sarah is an amazing baker and after we did a bit of market research we couldn't find anyone doing what we are doing in Kent."

The horsebox was lovingly converted by Sophie and Sarah's husbands Sean and Steve, who spent £5,000 turning it into a vintage-themed mobile bar.

After gaining traction in the events market, the next big target is the lucrative wedding scene.

"Our offering is different to the usual sit down meal," said Sophie.

"We are looking to work with couples who are organising something a little different.

"Many more couples are booking weddings outside or in non-traditional venues, like old barns or large houses.

"Some have the traditional wedding venue but are looking to make their day different to others in another way.

"We can help them achieve this with any of our afternoon tea packages designed for weddings."

"I'm on maternity leave but I feel like I'm busier than ever..." - Sophie Dean, Pretty Little Tea Co.

As with everything in the wedding market, hiring the Pretty Little Tea Co. does not come cheap.

For the top £700 package guests can secure the horsebox for four hours, with two bartenders and 100 glasses of Prosecco thrown in. Larger drinks packages and a longer stay are available on request.

"I'm overwhelmed with the response," said Sophie.

"We have started contacting wedding venues and event organisers and we are getting a hell of a lot of interest and people approaching us.

"Whatever we are doing seems to be working."

Starting a new business comes with the risk of not having a steady income but Sophie and Sarah, who lives in Hextable, have been given full support from their employer ITRM in Sidcup.

Sophie said: "They have been extremely supportive. It's a family-run business and we have a really good relationship with the MD there.

"Sarah spoke to them about us starting our own business and asked to go part time to do that.

"They agreed and have also offered to help with our IT.

"It's rare for an employer to support you starting your own business like that."

What has it been like starting a company while looking after two young children?

"It's not been as scary as we thought it would be," said Sophie.

"I'm on maternity leave but I feel like I'm busier than ever.

"With two children close in age, my hope is to do something like this which offers me flexibility.

"They grow up so quickly so spending as much time as possible with your family is brilliant."