A STEELWORKER who used his redundancy money 24 years ago to launch Teesside's best-known bridal wear shop has passed the running of the business to his son.

John Brady swapped "the muckiest job in the world for the cleanest" when he left British Steel's Redcar works to launch Principia - formerly Pronuptia - in Middlesbrough's Dundas Arcade.

His wife, Beryl, a seamstress, inspired him to turn his back on the "angry business of steel production in favour of the happy world of bridal wear" in 1979.

Now 65, Mr Brady has retired to spend more time with his wife who has recently suffered ill health - and has passed the business on to his son, Geoff.

He said: "Marriage, certainly as far as Teesside is concerned, is still very popular. The only real difference is the growing popularity of civil ceremonies - but, thankfully, whether they are in a church or a non-religious building, brides still like to wear a beautiful dress, the bridesmaids still like to look a picture, and the grooms and best men still need attractive formal suits."

Mr Brady, originally from County Durham and now living in Middlesbrough, worked at British Steel's Consett and South Bank works before accepting redundancy in 1979 while a section manager in the coke works at Redcar.

The handover of the business is a new beginning for Mr Brady's 43-year-old son, who has spent the past 18 years in the motor trade.

Geoff has received advice from business development experts Walker Hall Associates and backing from Dundas managing agents Storeys:ssp.

He said: "It may seem like a quantum leap, but both industries have one very important thing in common - you only get one chance to get it right."