A pair of magicians have pulled a rabbit out the hat by launching a brand new business after they lost all their work overnight.

Ipswich Star: One of the pair's birthday creations Picture: DON'T POP ME NOWOne of the pair's birthday creations Picture: DON'T POP ME NOW (Image: Archant)

Woodbridge-based entertainers Steff Evans and Olly Graham had a full diary of events booked before the coronavirus pandemic wiped out their schedule, leaving them struggling to pay their mortgage and household bills.

The pair refused to be deflated for long and have now launched balloon-decor company Don’t Pop Me Now.

The company creates everything from arches to animals and princesses out of balloons.

Mr Graham said: “We were well-established and successful but absolutely nothing could have prepared us for what happened with coronavirus.

Ipswich Star: A special number three created by Don't Pop Me Now Picture: DON'T POP ME NOWA special number three created by Don't Pop Me Now Picture: DON'T POP ME NOW (Image: Archant)

“As soon as lockdown was announced, all of our work died instantly.

“Phones were going crazy cancelling everything and almost overnight we went from having a jam-packed diary to nothing on the horizon at all.

“As full-time professionals in the entertainment business, neither of us had anything to fall back on.”

Mr Graham, better known on the party circuit as Magic Olly, has decades of experience making balloon animals while Ms Evans, also known as Steff and Nonsense, is a bubbleologist - creating unique party experiences with bubbles and with visits from her puppet Nonsense.

Ms Evans said: “We were asked to provide a few balloons to jazz up the living room of a friend for her birthday and that’s when we had the idea.

“Just because people cannot have big parties or events doesn’t mean they don’t want to mark special occasions, decorate venues or create a magical or memorable experience for someone and balloons are a great way to add colour and beauty and to get a wow factor.”

The pair have taken out one of the government’s business loans to pay for a new van and equipment to get the business started – with the investment already paying off.

Ms Evans said: “We now have a whole load of bookings for balloon arches for weddings, gender reveal balloons for baby showers, balloon bouquets and huge numbers to mark special birthdays.”

Ms Evans is also providing bubble equipment to people so they can learn to create their own bubble shows in back gardens.