Joe Fergus, 12, of Northop Hall, has been busy making batches of toy crocodile heads with Hama beads, which can be ironed together to create any shape.

After making his first batch, Joe contacted the Crocky Trail, an adventure centre based in Waverton, near Chester, and asked if they would consider selling them in their shop.

A few days later, Joe received a letter back from Ed Walley, owner of the centre, who has so far bought two batches of Joe's new product and has put them up for sale in the centre's shop.

Mum Alison said: "I picked the beads up in an arts and crafts shop for Joe, as he is very creative.

"He started making the crocodiles straight away and then wrote to the Crocky Trail himself – I had no idea that he had done it.

"I thought that the letter back from them was a dentist appointment at first – I was amazed that he had had the confidence to do it entirely on his own.

"He has had two really lovely letters back and Ed Walley has been really encouraging to him."

Joe, whose past ventures include setting up his own sweet stall and selling cakes in his back garden, is well on the way to fulfilling his ambition - to become a successful businessman and millionaire.

Alison added: "Joe is definitely a true businessman and he will get to where he wants to be.

"He uses any idea he can come up with to make money and he has done really well so far.

"I am really proud of him."