A LOCAL business offering a home-from-home pet care service has beaten off competition from 500 other firms in a bid to win £20,000.

Barking Mad Limited of Tunstall has fought off stiff competition from more than 500 other candidates to be named one of just 20 national semi-finalists in the HSBC competition.

Barking Mad was devised by Lee Southern-Helme after leaving her beloved dalmatian puppy in kennels whilst away.

Lee hated leaving her dog in a kennel but there wasn't any suitable alternative that met her expectations in terms of pet care.

Lee quickly found she was not alone in her bid to find a secure, caring and professional pet care service.

Other pet owners were facing similar dilemmas each time they planned a holiday, business trip or visit to hospital.

Barking Mad was launched in May 2000 and Lee was keen to test the market and prove the service viable.

Lee visited vets, distributed fliers, put up posters and networked locally to find hosts and customers.

With a database of select host families who care for pets either on a full or part time basis, many of the hosts are retired people who miss the companionship of owning a pet but do not wish to commit to the full-time responsibility.

In all cases Lee and her staff meet new customers and their pets at home, so they are able to match their pet with a host family most able to accommodate their pet's individual needs for exercising and feeding, and whose environments are similar to their own.

John Rendall, Head of Business Banking at HSBC, said: " Turning a business idea into a successful enterprise requires vision, skill and determination.

Everyone associated with Barking Mad can be justly proud of their achievement in gaining a place in the semi-finals."

Ten national finalists will ultimately share prizes worth more than £55,000, including a £20,000 first prize and £5,000 for the runner-up.