TWIN brothers turned artists are drawing on a development agency's help to make their hobby a business.

Steve and Chris Rocks, from Tudhoe, left university after generating interest in their unique paintings.

Unusually, the brothers work together on each painting and have turned that selling point into the cornerstone of their business.

The enterprise was launched thanks to advice from Sedgefield borough development agency SASDA.

Advisor Jean Thompson arranged a meeting between the two artists and leading art publishing house DeMontfort Fine Art.

The publishers spotted an opportunity and the pair now produce 15 paintings every month.

The brothers, who called their business The Rocks Brothers, said: "It is great to be given the chance to do something we love and make a good living at the same time.

"This is what we have always wanted to do.

"Thanks to SASDA and their excellent business advice, we have been able to make this dream a reality."

Mrs Thompson said: "Artists are a fairly unusual business proposition, but we have to adapt our approach to match the aspirations and ideas of every client that sets foot across our doorstep in order to help them reach a successful outcome."

For information about SASDA contact 01325-328833. To see the brothers' art, go online at www.demontfortfineart.co. u