A HUSBAND and wife team have set up a new kind of shoe shop in Darlington.

After years travelling to Newcastle or Leeds for footwear which was "different", Lee and Joanne Rankin identified a market niche in Darlington.

They set up their business as a result of Mrs Rankin's redundancy this year from her job at NTL.

The couple secured additional funding through the Falchoin Fund, which is run through HSBC bank and Darlington Business Venture.

Rubber Sole, In Blackwellgate, offers creative footwear for men and women, including cutting-edge brands, textures and styles. Bags, jewellery and belts are also on sale.

Mr Rankin said: "Our customers will come from a range of backgrounds and have varied interests, from the student population to professionals, but with one thing in common - a desire to be different."

The couple, who did all the business planning and research, despite not having any practical experience, have sourced brands from the UK and Europe, and as far away as Australia.