A HUSBAND and wife who set up a business to train people in the South Tyneside care sector have expanded it more than seven-fold in the three years that it has been trading.

Northern Care Training, set up in October 2004 by Amanda and Ian Dickinson, was created to improve standards within the care industry by providing training and assessment in NVQ Health and Social Care.

Now, almost three years after its inception, the company's workforce has grown from two people to 15, and has scores of people enroling on its courses at the Quadras Centre in Boldon, South Tyneside.

Mr Dickinson, the operations director, said the couple used their different expertise to make their dream a reality.

He said: "We were always confident that the business would grow and the plans initially were to have a team of trainers and basic skills tutors in addition to NVQ assessors. We are delighted this is now becoming a reality; we have grown from two staff to now employing 15.

"Amanda used her background in learning disability nursing and NVQ assessment and I used my experience in sales, marketing and accounting so we have a good combination of managerial skills within the business.

"We used this knowledge, together with support and funding, to grow the business to what it is today."

The venture has been supported by South Tyneside Means Business, a £16.2m venture to help local businesses grow.

The organisation has given Northern Care Training a £10,000 grant and a £5,000 loan from its Financing Business Growth division.

Northern Care targets domiciliary, residential and nursing care, as well as those caring for people with learning and mental health disabilities.

Eddie McAtominey, lead member for jobs, enterprise and regeneration for South Tyneside Means Business, said: "Northern Care Training is doing an excellent job in a sector that is dependant on companies like them and they set a good example to others.

"Their dedication and commitment is much admired and we are delighted to support them in as many ways as possible."