PUTTING his troubled times at Darlington Football Club behind him, George Reynolds yesterday revealed his plans to become a fashion guru.

Predicting his new business venture would transform him into "the new Versace of the rag trade", Mr Reynolds said he had been busy looking for premises for outlets.

Speaking from Blackpool, where he plans to open one of six shops selling high class evening wear and lingerie, the former Quakers chairman said he had decided to help build a new business for his cousin, Richie Tennick, and assistant Ian Robinson.

Predicting the new project would "go on wheels'', he said he was not prepared to go into too much detail at this stage.

He was willing, however, to say that the business centred around a string of fashion stores which would be located in Newcastle, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Blackpool, Liverpool and Manchester.

He said the garments would be high fashion and high quality and, as well as selling from the shops, would also be merchandised at house parties.

"I feel very buoyant about the venture which I am convinced will make a fortune and will make me as famous as Versace and Gucci," he said.

As well as looking for premises, Mr Reynolds said he planned to sell his fashion collections on the Internet and through catalogues.

"What we need now as a matter of urgency is models for the catalogue collection and for clothes that will feature on our website," he said.