A YOUNG chef who worked in the kitchens of two of the North-East's best-known venues has launched a speciality catering business.

Daniel Lindsay, 21, has set up Manna from Heaven, offering a catering service for events ranging from intimate functions to weddings.

He specialises in catering in the home, consulting with a client on the menu, then preparing the food in their kitchen and serving it to guests.

Mr Lindsay, from Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland, previously worked at Seaham Hall Hotel, in County Durham, and the Fisherman's Lodge, in Jesmond, Newcastle.

"I had always wanted to work for myself," he said.

"When I returned from a short period working in Spain, it seemed the perfect opportunity."

He was able to start his own business thanks to Sunderland Community Enterprise Network (SCEN), which helped him obtain a £900 business start-up grant from Sunderland Youth Enterprise Trust.

It also helped him obtain £2,000 from the Prince's Trust and £1,500 from Backup North.

"I came up with a plan to offer a high-quality food preparation service that caters for the exact needs of the client and SCEN helped to make my vision a reality," he said.

Bill Robinson, enterprise support advisor with SCEN, said: "Daniel is the perfect example of a young person with ambition and drive who wants to succeed in business - something we need more of in Sunderland."