Creator returns with jigsaw puzzle of the city's top landmarks

Now Rachel Lowe is hoping to bring joy to families with her latest creation '“ The Portsmouth Puzzle.

The 1,000-piece jigsaw colourfully illustrates more than 30 city staples and attractions, including Fratton Park, Charles Dickens, South Parade Pier, Victorious Festival and The News.

The idea was conjured up in January but after months of hard work the puzzle will go on sale on Friday '“ after an official launch with sponsors at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard at 11am.

Mother-of-two Rachel, 40, said: '˜It was discussed at Toyfair in London in January when I was talking to retailers. They loved all the regional board games I've done and they asked me if I would ever consider doing regional puzzles.

'˜I thought why not '“ so I approached a few of my sponsors who had sponsored my board games and they loved the idea. That's how the idea was born.'

Two versions of The Portsmouth Puzzle are set to go on sale, one with 1,000 pieces for £14.99 and a junior edition with 200 pieces for £8.99.

Thousands of each have been produced under the name of Rachel's new brand, Rachel Lowe Games and Puzzles, and she is hoping they will be enjoyed for years to come by families across Portsmouth '“ her home city.

She said: '˜Part of my job is bringing joy into people's homes.

'˜When my samples arrived [on Monday] they were delivered to my house and it just happened my girls were at home with me. We were jumping up and down.

'˜The artwork looks amazing and I'm so excited about launching it.'

She added: '˜I love where we live and I couldn't ever imagine moving very far away from Portsmouth.

'˜We're a tourist destination '“ people come here for their holidays '“ and we get to live here, so I think we're really lucky.' 

A former taxi driver for Aqua Cars, Rachel came up with the initial idea for the Destination series while out driving her cab.

She now works for herself and produces games and puzzles for television and film '“ with a Call the Midwife jigsaw now available to pre-order. 

The Portsmouth Puzzle will go on sale at U-Need-Us in Commercial Road, at gift shop inside the attractions featured in its artwork and will be available to buy at rachellowe.co.uk after Friday's launch.