TWO men who have just left college have set up a business in Darlington.

James Zielke and Tom Cockerill, both 20, have started a hardwood flooring business which has bases in Middlesbrough and Darlington.

They sell and install oak and other hardwood flooring in homes.

Naturally Oak Flooring was the idea of Mr Zielke, who recently finished his studies at Prior Pursglove College, in Guisborough. His business partner, Mr Cockerill attended Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Darlington.

Mr Zielke said: "What is special about the business is we are making a custom floor for customers and installing it. No-one else is really doing the complete package like that.

"We don't have a shop as such, but people can come out to the office. We are really more of an interior designer because we go into people's homes and put together a floor for them. We can do custom-designed borders, or patterns, and so on.

"Hardwood flooring is becoming more popular because it is very durable and comes with a 50-year guarantee.

"Really it lasts a lifetime - you could probably sell it with a lifetime guarantee."

The men's business has an office in Dinsdale Park, Darlington, and another in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough.

Mr Zielke said if the business proves successful he might be looking to take on further staff at some time in the future.

Anyone wanting to contact the business can call (01642) 852222 or (01325) 335338.