Greetings cards designer Ann Edwards thought it was a hoax when she answered a phone call from a film producer wanting to use her cards in a star-studded movie.

But this was no joke and the film, The Holiday, starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet, will feature her wacky animal cards, although she admits only for a microsecond'.

Ms Edwards pictured with her pet parrot Jasper holding one of her cards said: "I thought it was a friend taking the mickey, but it really was Columbia Pictures. I think it's pretty cool."

In the film, being shot in Godalming, Surrey, Diaz plays a neurotic American whose life changes when she meets an English traveller, played by Winslet.

Meanwhile, Ms Edwards, from Blewbury, has also received another international boost for her business.

The Japanese retail chain Art Prints has ordered 15 pictures to be painted to order for its 200 stores.

The company specified that the original prints must not feature black cats, as they are considered unlucky.

Ms Edwards, 42, set up her business last year after a friend suggested she should turn her art into cards.

She said: "I thought we would sell perhaps a few dozen but we are selling tens of thousands. We have 400 customers from all over the world."

She launched the cards at a trade show at the NEC in Birmingham, and also sells them through www.annedwardsart.co.uk