A PAINTER and a sculptor have set up a gallery and studio in Yarm for their own work, plus that of other local artists.

The contemporary design and art gallery, The Studio, has been opened by friends and business partners painter Ms Alex Paisley and sculptor Ms Jemima Blazdell in Low Church Wynd, just off the High Street.

The studio was launched this week, after benefiting from the Start Right in Business service from Business Link in the Tees Valley.

The pair worked with Mr Peter Mitchell, a business adviser for City Centre Training, on the Prince's Trust business plan and were then put in touch with Business Link in the Tees Valley. They have worked with its Start Right in Business adviser, Mrs Andrea Miles since November.

The service offers people setting up a new business easy access to a comprehensive network of information, help and support for starting up and over the first 18 months.

Originally from Billingham, Ms Paisley, who studied at Camberwell college of art, met London-born Ms Blazdell through a friend. Ms Blazdell studied art at Stafford college.

Iz-Art is their first business partnership and The Studio will also be home to their workshop. The gallery specialises in wrought iron, glass design and jewellery, as well as private commissions. Iz-Art work can be viewed on a web site, www.iz-art.com.

Alex said: "Jemima and I knew how important it was to plan the whole thing properly, which is when we decided to contact Andrea and draw on the services of Start Right in Business. The support has been invaluable and we will to seek guidance from the team in the future."

Iz-Art was also helped by the Prince's Trust through access to funding. Mr Ray Crawford, trust business support manager for the Tees Valley region, worked with Business Link to help Alex and Jemima set up the gallery. At the launch, he said: "They have worked tremendously hard in setting up the business. I wish them lots of luck and I am sure they will become a popular feature in Yarm."

Since Start Right in Business was set up in April 1995 it has helped more than 5,200 businesses to set up, creating nearly 9,000 jobs ranging from manufacturing and retail to services and construction. The team is based at the Tees Valley Business Centre, Queens Square, Middlesbrough, telephone 01642 806666; fax 01642 341425 or e-mail at mailto:info names on