A BUSINESS set up by a County Durham mum to teach toddlers languages is expanding and about to export its lessons to help French children learn English.

Lingotot owner Angela Sterling has revealed that the proposals are part of wider plans to expand the company in the UK this year.

The Consett-based company has franchises across the country, with its numbers increasing to more than 20 in the past 12 months.

Lingotot delivers language lessons to KS1 and KS2 children in schools and also fun activities to help nursery children understand French and Spanish. All the resources, such as books and songs, were designed by Ms Sterling, which can also be used by pre-school children.

She started the business four years ago while taking time out from teaching to care for her two daughters.

“One of our franchisees in the south of England has moved to France and approached me about setting up Lingotot in France,” Ms Sterling said.

“She had been so impressed with the lesson plans and the resources that she felt Lingotot would be a success there too, because the fun way in which children learn is effective. Our sessions never feel like traditional lessons.”

Angela is now involved in negotiations to expand the business abroad and has been working with Growth Accelerator.

She said: “It’s an exciting time for Lingotot, and I never thought of exporting the business model. But when our Brighton franchisee left for France, she said she thought the way the resources are designed would travel well.

“I’m also looking forward to expanding the franchise in the UK, and we recently launched a graduate scheme to help young entrepreneurs. When I set up I never imagined how successful it has become.”

Abigail Curtis runs the North Tees franchise, covering areas such as Hartlepool. She is now trebling the size of her business after buying the franchises in Stockton and Middlesbrough.

Abigail, who employs four tutors to deliver the classes, said: “I have had enquiries from those areas because of our work in Billingham and Hartlepool so it seemed a good idea to buy the franchises for those areas too.”

Liz Burdis, who runs Lingotot Hertford, has now doubled the size of her business after purchasing the franchise for Enfield North London.

“I was working in a school in Enfield before setting up Lingotot Hertford so it seemed the next logical step,” said Liz, who set up her first franchise in 2014.

“I’m running a successful after-school club teaching Spanish and Lingotot provides such good resources and support that I felt confident of going ahead with increasing my franchise. It is a big step but I’m looking forward to it.”

Lingotot has also welcomed its first two graduates on to its recently-launched graduates scheme. Kimberley Bannister and 22-year-old Rachel Raby-Elmer will be setting up Lingotot franchises in Newcastle and Bristol.

Ms Bannister, 26, said: “I studied languages and wanted to use it in my career, but I didn’t want to teach in secondary schools. Setting up my own Lingotot business is a logical step and its exciting to be setting up a business. I am looking forward to being mentored over the next two years.”