A FORMER forklift truck driver has set up his own gardening business.

Craig McLaren, from Stockton, has started a franchise of nicenstripy, a domestic lawn cutting and garden maintenance company.

The 41-year-old said: "I was keen to work within my own local community and was aware that demand for quality and trustworthy gardening staff in this area was extremely high.

"By providing a professional gardening service, we are hitting an untapped market in this area.

"We understand that while our customers appreciate neat lawns and gardens, the majority of them simply do not have the time, inclination or expertise to achieve the perfect results that we guarantee.

"Our clients, who range from busy young professionals with families to pensioners, want to spend time with friends and family at the weekend, instead of mowing the lawn or clearing the guttering.

"In addition, many people are unable to take on the jobs we can do, due to lack of equipment or skills.

"As a result, we are finding an increasing number of people are calling on us to help them with their gardening chores."

The business, which employs a small team of trained gardeners, uses its own equipment and offers a range of garden maintenance services throughout the year, including lawn treat- ments, seasonal feeds, pruning, turfing and fence and shed treatments.

Mr McLaren said he will take on more staff as the business grows.

Nicenstripy was launched ten years ago and is already well established in other parts of the UK.

Chief executive Nick Pearce said: "Craig brings a wealth of invaluable experience to nicenstripy and we are delighted that someone with his background and expertise has become our latest franchisee."

For more information, call 0845 260 7657 or visit www.nicenstripy.com