EAN Parsons has found the key to success with his innovative self-storage business, U Hold The Key, which is now set to expand rapidly across the North-East.

Mr Parsons started Parsons Containers on the Sedgefield Industrial Estate in County Durham when he faced redundancy after managing depots for a freight company.

Using refurbished shipping containers, his novel solution to storage problems for domestic and commercial customers is turning his company into one of Business Link County Durham's (BLCD) high growth businesses.

With support from BLCD through the Sedgefield Business Service, the company was originally set up to hire and sell containers with self-storage playing a small role in the planned activities.

But then Mr Parsons was quick to spot the potential when that side of his business unexpectedly proved to be a winner.

With U Hold The Key, the secure storage unit is left in the customer's control with the company providing access around the clock.

Storage can be arranged extremely quickly and is highly cost effective with units starting from as little as £10 per week.

Parsons Containers already has U Hold The Key depots in Sedgefield, Bishop Auckland and Newcastle, with two more planned for Durham and South Tyneside.

Mr Parsons and his company plans to have about 20 similar sites within the next two years.

With turnover looking set to double to £500,000 in the business's second year, Parsons now has seven staff and expects to increase this and expand outside the region in the near future.

Mr Parsons said: "We are one of the few companies operating this type of storage, and our aim is to offer a highly flexible service with a flat-rate weekly fee and no hidden charges.

"We also network with other local businesses, such as removal firms, to create packages that benefit the customer and help both companies."

He added: "Business advisor Mike Jones worked with me right from the beginning with advice on starting-up and with help to plug the gaps in my experience.

"The on-going support and personal contact has been very important for the business. I now travel to work on my bike instead of commuting through the rush hour for miles and I'm very glad I took the plunge."

The container sales and hire side of the business is also in demand from the construction industry, farmers, retailers and even other container companies.

Parsons is one of 400 businesses helped to set up last year by Business Link County Durham, now operated by A4E Consulting, and between them they have created nearly 600 jobs.

Eddie Jonas, BLCD's Business Improvement Consultant, said: "Ean's company is an excellent example of a start-up that has quickly become a high growth business creating jobs and demonstrating excellent potential for the future. He was prepared to take all the advice available to him and grab any unexpected opportunities that arose."