Simon Checkley knew his new business selling all things baby related would have teething trouble.

But even in his worst nightmares he couldn't have imagined the cruel blow he and his family have endured.

Just three days after opening the country's first Prémaman store in Crawley, a leaky tap upstairs flooded the entire floor, causing £60,000 damage.

"I'm starting to wish I had not given up my job," said the former sales rep who decided to open the store with his wife Gill after living in Europe, where Prémaman is a hugely successful brand.

Simon added: "We opened on Good Friday and had a really good couple of days trading.

"We were closed on Easter Sunday and came in the next morning to find disaster."

"The shop will have to be closed for a week. Although my insurance will cover it, this could not have happened at a worst time."

Despite the flooding, Simon and Gill believe they have made a good career move in bringing Prémaman to Britain.

The couple lived and travelled around Europe for many years and often visited the store to buy clothes and equipment for their children Joe, three, Sam, two and baby Ella.

Friends from back home would be full of praise for Prémaman products so when Simon read that the company planned to enter the British market, he jumped at the chance.

He said: "I knew Gill and all her friends were huge fans of Prémaman and was confident that people in the UK would love what the shops have to offer too, so we approached the company about taking on the franchise for Sussex.

"I was tired of the fast pace of corporate life but knew with three children to look after that I could only step away from it if the right opportunity came along.

"I really think we found it in Prémaman - the quality, style and price of the product range is sure to be a phenomenal success."

Gill, a former teacher at Ringmer Community College, added: "Mums want to look good without blowing the budget and also need to have confidence in the products.

"At Prémaman the collections are exclusive and constantly updated.

"And the innovative products are creatively devised using the best manufacturers available."

The couple's store is located at The Pavilion, Queens Square.

Despite their rocky start to business, Simon is not only confident the Crawley store will be a success but he aims to expand in the near future.

He said: "The upside is that we had an amazing start to trading.

"We will be back open soon and I hope we will shortly be able to open a store in Brighton."