DAVID Comer and Eric Wrathall were eager to please the top Italian footwear manufacturer when he turned up at their shoe repair shop in Bacup.

They were hoping for their first big contract to do warranty repairs on up-market walking boots.

The enterprising duo had just started the business in the back room of their traditional cobblers' shop.

Facilities for greeting VIP visitors were non-existent.

Determined to make an impression, Eric provided a patio table and David brought in two chairs from his garden.

Meeting on, contract signed.

Their business -- Lancashire Sports Repairs -- has now grown to be the country's leading specialist repairers of outdoor performance footwear, clothing and equipment.

"Thankfully, the Italian was more interested in our expertise than in the company's appearance," recalled David.

With their first big contract behind them, David and Eric have gone on to sign up most of the top names of the leisure industry.

If you own a pair of Berghaus, Karrimor or Zamberlan boots or shoes, then any warranty work will be carried out by Lancashire Sports Repairs in Burnley, where the business is now based.

You are also likely to use the company's direct mail order service for any after-warranty work such as re-soling, having a waterproof clothing tear repaired or a new zip fitted on your rucksack.

Plus, the Elm Street-based business is the UK's only approved repair centre for Gore-Tex fabrics.

"We offer a full testing, repair and reproofing service for all garments made with waterproof, breathable and windproof Gore-Tex," said David.

David and Eric both worked at Lambert and Haworth when the company was one of Rossendale's biggest shoe companies.

David was a shoe technologist and Eric went on to become a lecturer at Accrington and Rossendale College, specialising in shoe repairs.

They decided to set up in business in 1995 when they realised there was a gap in the market for a UK-based after-care service for imported walking boots.

The foot and mouth epidemic of 2001, however, nearly put LSR out of business.

"It was just like someone had turned the tap off," recalled David.

"During the epidemic, with the countryside virtually closed, no-one was taking to the hills, fells or mountains, which meant a huge drop-off in our business.

"The whole of the outdoor performance footwear market was affected."

Overdrawn at the bank, staff had to be laid off and at one stage there was just David left, waiting in vain for orders to come in.

"I spent most of my time writing to Burnley MP Peter Pike pleading for some sort of assistance," he said.

"He sent me a silly letter back saying the Government could only look after people who were directly affected in the countryside."

Largely thanks to the support of suppliers, the company weathered the storm.

"We simply contacted everyone and told them of our predicament," he said.

"With many directly affected themselves, we all pulled together and got through some very, very hard months."

With the foot and mouth crisis over, the pair worked round the clock to rebuild the business.

Last year, they bought out their biggest competitor, Bolton-based Shoecare, and now employ seven staff.

The next step will be to find larger premises to cope with the growing demand for its services, particularly in clothing repairs.

"We clearly have a good reputation which is paying dividends with people actually approaching us," added David.

"We have weathered the worst storm imaginable and I am confident nothing will beat us now."