BUSINESSMAN Bob Birch is hoping his career will really take off after finally conquering his fear of flying.

The 32 year-old, from Clayton-le-Moors, has worked for a Manchester service centre for the past four years, but has always managed to talk his way out of overseas business trips because of his phobia.

But after his boss, Warren Stanworth urged him to attend a vital trip to Madrid early this year, he finally took the plunge and contacted former hypnotherapist Lynn Francis for two sessions of EFT -- Emotional Freedom Technique.

The technique is based on the Chinese art of acupuncture and Bob said: "The furthest I had ever been from home was Brighton. I have never been able to fly and I have always had a thing about confined spaces.

"I had hypnotherapy before, but it never worked and I have always dodged trips in the past. But this time Warren pushed me into it."

Bob had two one-hour sessions of treatment before he undertook the 45-minute trip to Madrid.

He said: "When I had finished my treatment I didn't feel any different, but Lynn told me that I could go and fly, although I wasn't so sure.

"I was a bit nervous leading up to the trip and a bit panicky when I sat down on the plane, but then I just eased into it and forgot about it.

"One of my friends who was on the plane with me patted me on the back and gave me a bit of moral support and it was fine, I just didn't think about it."

Bob is now hoping to make up for lost time by taking further trips abroad.

He added: "I feel I missed out when I was younger and all my mates were going on lads' holidays.

"I always used to make up excuses not to go, such as I couldn't take the time off work.

"There are a lot of places in Britain I would like to travel to, but I would certainly try flying again -- I believe Amsterdam is very nice."

Lynn, 49, who lives in Great Harwood but visits patients in their own homes, said: "EFT is based on the ancient Chinese art of acupuncture but instead of using needles a simple tapping with fingers while tuning into the problem is all that is needed.

"It really is amazing, it is the most rapid, painless technique I have come across in the last 15 years, that is why it is known as the fast phobia cure.

"Another exciting discovery is the use of EFT in the sports world, as it has been found to greatly improve sporting performance by addressing the mental side of the game.

"I plan to travel to Spain later this month, where I will be demonstrating to a group of golfers how, by using this technique they can lower their handicap."