PARENTS who gave up work to care for their children who suffer from complex special needs have started their own business in their garage.

Sarah and Ian Smith’s five-year-old son and daughter, seven, are both affected by Fragile X Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder closely associated with autism.

They gave up their careers to care for their children but have launched their printing company from their home in Leadgate, near Consett.

Mrs Smith is a former learning disabilities nurse and her 45-year-old husband was a mental health support worker.

Their business, Red Dog Printing and Embroidery, personalises t-shirts, mugs, and mouse mats as well as adding logos to work wear and school uniforms.

Mrs Smith, 34, said: “Due to the nature of the needs of our children, they need quite a strict routine and beforehand we worked shifts.

“This has allowed us to be here in the morning to care for them and when they get home from school and attend their reviews and appointments. It means we can be flexible if one of them is poorly.

“It was a huge decision to go it alone but luckily it has paid off so far.

“Things have gone well but we have had a lot of support from our family and without them we could not have done so we owe them a big ‘thank you’.”

The couple is holding an open day to showcase their work at their home in Ambleside Mews on Friday, January 30 at 9.30am-4.30pm.

They also run the Fragile X Support Group County Durham, the only network for sufferers in the North-East, which meets regularly for family days out and parents night out.

The next night out is at The Miners Arms in Medomsley on Friday, January 30, from 7pm.

To find out more call Mrs Smith on 07588-037-485.