TWO friends are giving up their jobs to launch a business venture.

Paul Howard, 37, Chris Dobson, 41, have worked in heavy chemicals and engineering industries at Wilton, North Tees and Hartlepool since leaving school.

The pair have taken a franchise to supply protective coatings to industrial, commercial and domestic buildings.

Survair NE England Limited will serve the North-East.

The parent company of Survair is based near Edinburgh and covers much of Scotland. Mr Howard and Mr Dobson are confident they will repeat the company's success in the North-East.

Damian McConnell, Survair franchise manager, said: "Paul and Chris have impressed me as skilful entrepreneurs. They have all the right skills and attitude to make Survair North East a great success - they both have bundles of energy and enthusiasm for the business."

Mr Dobson, who lives in Sedgefield, County Durham, and who has recently worked for ICI, Ineos and Petroplus in Teesside, said: "My advice to anyone considering starting their own business is to do plenty of research on your idea, and get lots of business advice from banks, accountants and business support groups, like Business Link. Plan ahead and do it."