TWO friends who met at a Portishead secondary school have started up a new venture offering hen night cupcake decorating parties.

Fran Hunt and Jane Smith, who both attended Gordano School, began working together when Fran won a unit in Nailsea’s Colliers Walk through Crown Glass Shopping Centre’s Win a Shop competition.

Fran has owned Partysmartys for several years and sells balloons, themed party bags, games and party décor.

On winning the shop, she contacted her friend Jane to help her with the business.

She said: “Working together in the shop, it was obvious many customers were looking for unusual party cakes personalised to the recipient including their pets, hobbies and lifestyle.

“Jane had been making cakes for friends and family and thought it would be a good time to start a cake business.

“Jane and I took the food hygiene exams and Jane’s Kookie Cakes was born, making bespoke celebration cakes, cupcakes, cookies and cake toppers with caricature themes.”

The pair then began offering cupcake decorating parties and competitions in the shop.

When Fran gave up the premises last year, they decided to continue working together by offering a mobile service for children’s parties and they have now expanded to include hen night cupcake decorating parties.