A Newcastle Emlyn cafe owner is calling on all artists in the area to display their work at her new premises.

Mother-of-four Steph Hixon-Hand is also offering school pupils and college students the opportunity to showcase their work in Winnies@Number 11.

“It really will be a haven for artists and we’ve already got a handful of them on board including Robert Mee from Aberaeron, Julia Den Hartog and Hannah Edwards from Newcastle Emlyn but I am looking for more artists to exhibit their work,” said Steph who will run Winnies@Number 11 with her husband Wayne and daughters Ronnie, Melissa, Cammie and Leah.

"We will have a change of artists every quarter so that everyone has an opportunity of showcasing their work."

Steph has always wanted to open her own cafe, having been inspired by her late grandmother who owned a cafe in Florida.

Steph was the manager at Cafe 1176 in Cardigan Castle for two years, but when the building on Newcastle Emlyn High Street became available, she was unable to resist the challenge.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and my grandmother told me to go for it, but the time was never right," said Steph.

"My nan, granddad and mum have all followed the same catering trade and I’ve always wanted to cater for all customers including vegan and gluten free meals and now I can.”

The cafe needed a bit of tender loving care before Steph opened her venture on Friday and she cannot thank the business people of Newcastle Emlyn enough.

“It was like DIY SOS here," she said.

"We’ve had tremendous help and support from the people in the town.

"We’ve had companies give their time for free to help us out and I’m overwhelmed by their support.

"They’ve worked for us at a reduced rate and some for free in their own time, and we are going to erect a plaque in the cafe to thank everyone for their support."