A YOUNG couple who took the plunge and set up their own garage business in a Dales village have had their hard work rewarded.

Craig and Donna Jameson set up their business, C. Jameson Motor Services, in the County Durham Village of Wearhead two years ago, when they were only 24 and 22, to build a future for themselves and their family.

Now the business is celebrating its second anniversary with the garage well-established as a valued addition to village life and a full-time mechanic employed to help Craig meet the growing demand for its services. Customers from a 15-mile radius bring their family cars, farm vehicles and even farm machinery for services and repairs on a regular basis.

As well as caring for the couple's two daughters, aged four and one, Donna looks after the book-keeping side of the business, collects parts and delivers cars needing MOT certificates.

"It took us over a year to get all the equipment we needed and feel that we were on a secure footing," said Donna.

"Craig had been unemployed for about six months and couldn't find a job when, suddenly, the garage in the village that had been closed for some years came up for rent. We only had two weeks to decide and although it was nerve-wracking because we didn't know anything about running a business we decided it was an opportunity we couldn't miss and took the plunge."

With support from Business Link County Durham, the couple completed a ten-week business course with the Wear Valley Development Agency and attracted financial support through Enterprise Allowance.

Sharon Eddy of Business Link County Durham said: "Craig and Donna have worked extremely hard for two years to get their business up and running and look after a very young family at the same time.