By ANGELA KELLY WHEN political life gets just too much for Horwich Mayor Cllr Barbara Ronson she retreats into her own small world. In fact, the nimble-fingered Liberal Democrat creates tiny items for doll's houses that not only delight youngsters but provide a useful fund-raiser for local causes like the Mayor's own charity for young people. "I used to make these little items years ago," she explained. "But I've gone back to it in the last few years as a way of unwinding and beating stress."

She reckons that a few hours spent creating miniature bouquets of flowers, cakes, bread, roasts and cheeseboards from modelling clay - which are then baked in the oven - is totally absorbing.

It's also highly productive. She turns out batches of tiny black puddings, Christmas logs and fruit and vegetables - all of which have proved very popular at the handful of local craft fairs that the busy councillor can find time to attend.

She deliberately keeps prices low (from just 50p) because most of her "customers" are children.

"It's reward enough just to see their faces light up when they recognise miniature fish and chips, a trifle or iced cake," she added. "And they love to have a go themselves."

Friends and relatives save a variety of items for her like tiny Kit-Kat wrappers, buttons, paper trays from chocolate boxes and big buttons to help her hobby.

The results can be viewed when she joins other stallholders at the Rivington and Blackrod High School Association's annual Craft Fair on Saturday and Sunday.

And, especially for this event, Barbara has been "baking early for Christmas" - creating dozens of mini Christmas puddings, cakes and mincepies in good time for doll's house festivities around the district.

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