CONGRATULATIONS to mum Christine Cubitt. When she could find no suitable magazines for her three young sons, the 39 years-old housewife decided to produce her own. Now, Boys 1st has gone on sale across the country.

Christine, from near Bingley, West Yorkshire, searched in vain for what she felt was a suitable general interest publication for her boys. Then, spotting a gap in the market, she sensibly recruited her sons as editorial assistants, and obviously listened to their opinions about what lads really want to read.

Modelling her publication on the old Victor and Eagle comics, she has created a winning blend of science fiction, cartoons, cars and adventure stories, using freelance contributions.

Mrs Cubitt's story underlines the old adage that if you want something doing properly, do it yourself.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.