WHEN it comes to the Internet, Michael Hutchinson's tastes stretch from pedals to paints.

The Bishop Auckland-based businessman has just launched a new web venture to allow customers to choose how the new living room will look without leaving their armchair.

Michael, who has been in the decorating trade for 25 years, has launched what he believes is the world's first site dedicated to painting and decorating.

Customers can mix colours on a palette available on the site, and the shade they choose can be delivered to their door within three days

He said: "The site will revolutionise the way the British public buy their paint products.

"We not only aim to offer great value for money, but our knowledge base is massive, and this is one offer to any visitors to our site.

"If you can't find the answer to your decorating query on our extensive web site, there's free advice available via e-mail."

The site which has been two years in the planning, is not the first to be operated by the Shildon-born entrepreneur.

His love of that 70s icon, the Chopper bike had the 42-year-old testing out his Internet mettle.

He said: "I dipped my toes in the Internet water with a very simple site offering a range of deals and accessories for Raleigh Chopper enthusiasts.

"It was an instant success and still brings in orders from all over the world. Just the other day I received a call from Australia."

The new site NetPaint.co.uk was designed and built by Newcastle-based web site design company Zillennium.