MUMS can still have dreams, no matter what, according to Karolyn Szejner who gives a beaming smile every time she talks about her three children.

Whilst juggling family life, the Blackburn writer is oozing with ambition to become a successful director after setting up her own theatre company Loose Lips.

The former office worker, turned to the stage following the death of her ex-husband Ryan Shaw.

The father of her children died from septicaemia in 2007.

Karolyn, 30, decided it was time to follow her dreams and enrolled on a performing arts degree at the University of Salford.

Balancing her drama studies whilst being a full-time mum to Olivia, 11, Eleanor, 10, and eight-year-old Lucas, Karolyn will graduate this summer while putting on her first productions with Loose Lips.

She said: “When I had the children I worked as a legal assistant for a while.

“But I just knew it wasn’t for me.

“I wasn’t with Ryan at the time of his death but I wanted something to focus on and show the children that ambition is a good medicine.

“I thought, how could I tell them to follow their dreams, when I couldn’t even follow mine?”

And with the launch of Loose Lips Theatre Company, Karolyn, is aiming high with productions that she will write, direct and star in while ensuring they tackle political and topical issues.

She added: “I have always had a dream and having been through so much I can really express myself through performing arts.”

Karolyn, who was nominated for a NODA award in 2008, said that support from her family and a passion for her work has kept her going.

She said: “The children show interest in theatre, they are fascinated with the material I write and they are showing more confidence because they want to get into drama themselves.

“They have been my strength and inspire me every day.”

And it doesn’t stop there for Karolyn, who plans to follow in the footsteps of Burnley-born Shameless writer Paul Abbott by doing the same MA course in Scriptwriting.

She added: “I’m such a glutton for punishment, so I’m going back to do another course.

“The more opportunities that I have, the better it is for me.”

*Loose Lips brings its debut performance, Sitting on Offence, to The Robert Powell Theatre at Salford University on August 10 and 11 and Salford Arts Theatre on August 12 and 13. Tickets can be purchased from www.salford artstheatre.co.uk or by calling 07968 210009.