AN unemployed man who spent the past three years collating details on hundreds of creatures great and small has re-launched his career with an online information service.

Doug Bell, 34, has set up www.fauna.org.uk from his home in South Hetton, County Durham.

The website holds data on every aspect of the care and welfare of animals, birds and reptiles, plus a shopping site for more than 750 products, including pet food, books and videos.

The site also holds information on 3,450 businesses and web sites connected with pets - from exotic snakes to cats and dogs. Pet owners can watch animal related cartoons, and even show photographs of their pets.

His inspiration for the business came from a love of animals. He wanted to be a vet but ended up in the catering business.

He said: "I started working on my website because I felt that having masses of information available at the press of a button would be of enormous benefit to people in the UK who are keen to glean as much information as they can on their pets."

When Mr Bell decided to go into business, he sought help from the North Durham branch of InBiz, the national business support organisation that helps people move from unemployment to self-employment.

Ken Johnson, InBiz operations manager for the North, said the site should "prove to be a dream ticket for anyone interested in the welfare of their pets".

He said: "Doug's business is an unusual one, but he came to us armed with a range of ideas and a very comprehensive business plan. He is totally committed to what he is doing."