A POPULAR Hexham toy store is building on its success by expanding into Newcastle.

Mr Wolf, based on Market Street, has been open since 2014 after being set up by Hexham parents Lindsey and Austin Birney.

They have now opened their second Mr Wolf at 6, Old Eldon Square in Newcastle, and are hoping to put the magic back into toy shopping for parents and children.

They set up their Hexham store after struggling to find quality toys and gifts that didn’t rely on screens or buttons for their daughters Daisy (10) and Tabitha (4).

The couple said that their business brings together good quality, traditional toys and gifts from around the world – without a battery in sight.

In just four years Mr Wolf has gathered a loyal fan base and it already sends toys all over the world.

Following this success the Birneys decided Newcastle should be their next step.

“We set out to fire a child’s imagination,” said Lindsey. “We avoid toys that rely on batteries or feature the usual cartoon characters.

“Our toys stimulate, involve, encourage and inspire children of all ages to have fun.”

Lindsey and Austin involve their two daughters in the business and pride themselves on knowing how everything works and is played.

One popular features of the shop is that lots of the toys sit outside of their boxes, giving potential owners the chance to try before they buy.