A CORPORATE chauffeur franchise is looking for three entrepreneurs with drive.

Minster Chauffeurs, of North Yorkshire, has worked with Darlington-based consultants The Franchise Company to expand its business.

Franchisees are offered a week's training at the region's only chauffeur training school, the Sovereign Chauffeur Company, in Wetherby, West Yorkshire.

Hugh Millington, managing director of Minster and Sovereign, said: "The number of executives using chauffeur-driven cars is increasing every year. This is because of increased congestion on roads. A chauffeur at least allows an executive to be productive while travelling, and there is a lack of privacy on trains and planes.

"There is also a trend for business people to use no-frills flights from regional airports and use a chauffeur to take them there and back."

He believes that traditional limousines have lost much of their appeal.

"The increase in hen and stag nights hiring stretch limos has changed the image of limousines generally," he said. "Business people want a more discreet, personal service."

Minster is planning to award six franchises across the North in its first year, expanding to a total of 20 by 2007, then taking the brand across the rest of the UK.

For further details, visit the website www.minsterchauffeurs.com