A mum of two from Whitstable is on a mission to spread happiness - using a giant seal costume.

After the death of her sister Nicky in April, Laura Precious launched a campaign to help work through her grief while making the world a better place.

Now, she has received thousands of pounds from people who want to help her make a full-body seal outfit.#

“Imagine a massive, friendly, seal giving you a big cuddle and saying really nice things to you – telling you you’re lovely and everything is going to be all right,” said Laura, 39.

She plans to design a “well-made, cute and cuddly” costume which will be available for public and private functions.

“It could be large-scale public events like a walkabout act at a festival,” she said. “Or it could be hired privately, to turn up on the doorstep of a loved one who’s having a bit of a tough time and would really benefit from being told everything’s going to be okay by a massive seal.

“Its purpose will be to spread joy, and to make people feel good, loved and accepted.

“I think what with Brexit and Trump constantly stealing the headlines, things can be a bit negative at times. So I want to create something that represents fun, silliness, kindness and just generally cranks up the goodness in this topsy-turvy world.”

Supporters have already helped smash her target of £3,380.

The unusual initiative forms part of Laura’s wider One Million Maybe campaign – through which she is attempting to make £1m by the end of next July.

She hopes to give half of the money to charities including Target Ovarian Cancer. “The other half I’ll use to do nice things for mine and my sister’s family at this awful time,” she said.

“My sister Nicky had ovarian cancer for three years. I totally adored her. After she died I just needed something to focus on. With little children, I needed to make sure the world kept on turning. It also made me realise life is really short.”

For details, visit Laura's Seal of Approval page