A WOMAN who works long hours for the NHS likes to spend her spare time making children smile as a "magical" mermaid.
Yasmin Awan, from Neston, says performing as a mermaid "brings joy" to her when she is not working in Aintree Hospital.
The 28-year-old grew up around medics, so knew that she wanted to be patient-based.
When she was 18, Yasmin went to Newcastle University to study biomedical science.
She said: "I remember I was studying about 11pm one night and I was procrastinating on the internet because I was stressed and needed a break.
"I saw an advert about learning how to be a mermaid so I thought I'm going to go do this for a weekend. I went and did it and fell in love with it."
Six years later, Yasmin, who's mermaid name is Athena Storm, has now turned being a mermaid into a business, called Aquatic Mermaids, which was set up by Yasmin and her best friend Luna. The mermaids perform at children's parties, festivals and even weddings.
As well as raising money for ocean charities, Yasmin also helps clean beaches across the country.
"I'm just so proud of it and how much it's grown", Yasmin added.
"I just love it. It's an absolute joy. Children think I am real so to give them that magic in their life, just fills my heart with absolute pure joy.
"There is a lot of sadness in the world and it's really upsetting. I know i'm one person so I can't change the world, but if I can change one person's world, and give a child a bit of magic, I am making the world a bit of a happier place."
With the recent release of The Little Mermaid, Yasmin has drummed up lots of interest. She recently did a meet and greet outside a Sheffield cinema, turning a fantasy world into a reality for the children about to see the film.
She also swims in aquariums with fish, turtles and sharks.
Speaking about what it takes to become a mermaid, Yasmin said there's a "lot more to it" then people think.
She said: "I'm a qualified and certified diver. I have learnt how to swim in a monofin and I can hold my breath underwater for three minutes.
"Mermaiding is my pride and joy. Seeing the smiles on the children's faces there's nothing more special than that. It really is so magical."
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