A PLUMBER who started as a sole trader ten years ago now employs 30 people and is looking forward to the next phase of business expansion.

Mandy Jewell persuaded her husband Mark to take the plunge and use his experience to set up a plumbing and heating business in 1995.

Now, Redcar Plumbing and Heating is continuing to expand and has a sister company supplying the trade and general public.

The couple recently recruited a contracts manager to help take the business on to the next stage of development.

Redcar Plumbing is renewing and upgrading heating systems for housing associations all over the North-East and North Yorkshire, and has partnership contracts with major building contractors.

The company now operates over an 80-mile radius from its base at UK Steel Enterprise's Innovation Centre in Redcar. Its sister company, Premier Plumbing Supplies (NE) Ltd, was started four years ago and supplies everything from boilers and radiators to showers.

"I served my time with a local plumbing and heating company after leaving school at the age of 16," said Mr Jewell.

Mandy Jewell is heavily involved with the business as company secretary and the couple live in Tees Valley. The company was one of the first tenants to move into UK Steel Enterprise's (UKSE) multi-million pound business centre in Kirkleatham Business Park in 2000.

"Re-locating to the Innovation Centre was such a good move for us," said Mark. "Not only are the facilities and environment first class, but the UKSE team is on hand if we need any business advice or help."

The Redcar centre is now full, so UK Steel Enterprise is building another centre, at Hartlepool, due to open next year.