A BICYCLE shop hit by the foot-and-mouth disease crisis is planning to expand.

Within weeks of opening Specialist Cycles, in Meadowfield, near Durham, Martin Stout saw restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of the disease, which closed much of the countryside to visitors.

His customer base, which stretches from Middlesbrough to Gateshead, dwindled and he had to rely on local trade.

Thanks to advice from business improvement consultant Eddie Jonas, of Business Link County Durham, Mr Stout applied for a grant from the Rural Recovery Fund.

This helped him to diversify into cycle hire and he has since expanded the business, taking advantage of cycling's growing popularity.

He is planning to take on a further three employees after the expansion of his business and plans to move into larger premises next year.