WHEN Steve Ashcroft worked as a director of the Northwest Development Agency, he worked to stimulate entrepreneurship and help small businesses to grow.

Today, as a self-employed businessman based in the Ribble Valley, he finds himself putting into practice the advice once given to others!

The transformation is now complete with the launch of a photography business based around the website www.thephoto graphshop.com.

The aim behind the venture is to provide stunning photographs from around the world for the home office or as gifts. Steve is concentrating on the hotel and restaurant industry, where photographs can help to create a particular mood or theme.

Steve, who had the high-flying role as director of corporate services with the agency, has taken a number of the photographs, but he has also involved a number of other Lancashire-based photographers in his new venture.

Commenting on the transformation, Steve said: "I suppose working at the Northwest Development Agency, with its emphasis on stimulating the economy of the North West, rubbed off on me and gave me the prompt to set up in self employment by using my passion for photography.

"Seeing things from the other side of the fence has been fascinating and, in particular, discovering how the support structures for new businesses work in practice. In this regard, the Ribble Valley Enterprise Agency has been very helpful and awarded me a 'Start Up' grant."