A COLCHESTER mother married to a Peruvian has launched a children's clothing company selling knitwear from her husband's native country.Mother-of-two Amanda Ruiz, 37, set up Peruvian Knitwear, which sells brightly coloured clothing, after receiving gifts of clothing for their first son.

A COLCHESTER mother married to a Peruvian has launched a children's clothing company selling knitwear from her husband's native country.

Mother-of-two Amanda Ruiz, 37, set up Peruvian Knitwear, which sells brightly coloured clothing, after receiving gifts of clothing for their first son.

The items are hand-made in Peru using Alpaca, a natural fibre. They are blended with acrylic wool to make them machine washable and affordable.

Mrs Ruiz, who is married to Manuel, who comes from the Peruvian capital, Lima, said it was the popularity of her baby's Peruvian clothes which gave her the idea.

“When I had my first child, Felix, we were given lots of beautiful, brightly-coloured knitwear from her husband's relatives,” she explained.

“The gifts were ponchos, chullos (earflap hats) and cardigans which were very widely admired because they are extremely versatile clothes. The poncho is especially useful as it can be worn by a baby when in the Baby Bjorn or sling or in the car seat or push chair without the fuss of getting arms into coat sleeves.”