FORMER prison officer Mark Davison has found the key to his own business.

Mr Davison, 40, from Easington, County Durham, worked in the prison service for ten years until an accident forced him to retire on medical grounds.

Struggling as an unemployed single parent of two children, his prospects seemed bleak.

But events took a turn for the better when he visited the nextstep free service, funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), which provides adults aged 20 and over with information and advice on work and learning.

It was there that Mr Davison received help and advice on a new career route that has unlocked a brighter future.

As a result of this help, Mr Davison decided to train as a locksmith and will soon qualify as a member of the Locksmiths Association.

Armed with a nationally recognised qualification, he decided to go it alone and has set up his own business, MG Davison Locksmith, which already has a growing portfolio of clients.

He said: "Because I am fully trained and have the best qualification available, I am able to offer a professional service of the highest quality.

"Although it is difficult growing a business from scratch at the same time as juggling my home commitments, I'm really enjoying the challenge and feel so much more positive about the future."

Nexstep advisor Linda Pink is delighted to see him doing so well.

She said: "Mark is a great example of someone who has changed his life for the better and is now much happier as a result.

"At nextstep, our aim is to help people get out of a rut and improve their prospects and reach their full potential, and Mark has shown how well this can be achieved."

Mr Davison can be contacted on 0191-527 2982.