A sports-themed baby toy company from Teddington won the Best Baby Activity Gym at the Nursery Industry Product Association awards.

Little Sport Star is a sports-themed toy company for babies and toddlers created by Nick Farnsworth from Teddington.

The Little Sport Star baby activity gym is unique in its category because it is the only baby gym with a football theme.

Nick, father of two, said: “We have been through so many ups and downs since we launched and we believe the winning the NIPA award for best baby activity will be a great boost for our business in 2019.”

Nick is hoping his fortunes have turned again, for the better. In 2016, Little Sport Star Nick’s sports-themed baby activity gym was one of the best sellers in Toy R US in the USA.

In the same year, Little Sport Star won the best exporter at the Richmond and Twickenham business awards.

Unfortunately, the success was short lived. Toys R Us first filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and by 2018, their US business was closed.

Nick said: "It has taken a lot to fight back and in 2018, we relaunched as an online business in the UK."

Nick was presented the award by one of the founding members of NIPA and owner of teething brand, Gummee, Jodine Boothby.

She said: “Little Sport Star has shown real grit through tough times in retail and NIPA is delighted to choose the amazing Little Sport Star baby gym, which is both an amazing gym and also an authentic and original British brand”.

Little Sport Star was launched shortly after the London Olympics 2012 when Little Sport Star was able to ride the wave of enthusiasm to find a sporting legacy.

Nick’s mission is to create a range of toys that parents could play together with their baby.