WHEN dry stone wall builder Lawrence Staley, took up glass engraving as a hobby 18 years ago, he never dreamed that one day he would earn a living from it.

Today, not only is Mr Staley, from Mickleton, near Barnard Castle, making a name for himself through his work, but his wife Joan is employed full-time in their company, Teesdale Glass Engravers.

The Internet has played a significant part in allowing the couple to build their business to a size that is gradually enabling Mr Staley to swap his outdoor life for a less physically demanding one.

The thriving business, which can be found online at www.teesdaleglassengravers.co.uk, markets items ranging from trinket boxes to engraved windows.

Mrs Staley went on a course through the Enterprise Agency, which helped to design a micro website for the business.

Such was the success of the micro site that she gained the confidence to go ahead and get a dedicated website designed.

Funding aid came via www.n-e-life.com, in particular through an online initiative called Grow Your Business. To find out more about the initiative's support packages, call 0191-213 0788, or email www.n-e-commerce. com/GROW.