As a full-time mum of four, Anne Bloor is used to coming up with new ways to entertain youngsters. And now the former caterer has decided to put her skills to good use – juggling the demands of motherhood with a new career as a clown.

Anne, who lives at Sheringham with husband Jonathan and children Susan, 10, Amelia, six, Olivia, four, and Jimmy, two, previously worked as a children's nanny before travelling the country as a chef.

Although she admits to being naturally shy, she came up with the idea of becoming a children's entertainer after organising birthday parties for her own family.

'As a mum, I think I know what makes children tick and I thought if I could do this for my own children, then why not do parties for other people,' she said. 'Because I am quite quiet, a lot of people were surprised, but when I get my make up on, I become a completely different person.'

After digging out a bright purple frizzy wig she bought at a car boot sale years ago, Mrs Bloor designed and made a clown costume with adapted clothing and fabric bought from charity shops.

She then bought a box of Tommy Cooper-style magic tricks and props and ran her first party for 30 youngsters in her new guise of Dizzy Wizzy.

'The children absolutely loved it, and the feedback I got from them – and their parents – was amazing,' Anne, 38, said.

Keen to hone her entertaining skills, she began appearing as Dizzy Wizzy at friends' parties free of charge, also doing charity events including Children in Need and bucket collecting at Cromer Christmas lights switch-on.

'It was such a success that I decided to try to turn it into a business,' Anne said.

She has since made around eight paid appearances, adapting her act according to children's ages, putting on a disco and magic show for older youngsters and playing games with younger ones.

'I think the secret is that, as a mum, you have an instinct and I know within seconds if something isn't working, so I'll quickly move on to something else,' she said.

To find out about booking Anne for a children's party or event, visit www.dizzy-wizzy.co.uk.