GIVE Walter McDonald some bad weather with a few storms and he's a happy man.

For Walter is managing director of Edenfield-based Fastnet, a company specialising in giving roofs protection against storm and gale damage.

"The idea came to me 10 years ago when the roof on the house I had built was damaged by storms," he said.

Along with business partner Joe Littlewood, Walter has been working to develop the system.

This is based on a protective net called Paranet, made from polyester fibre and covered with a polythene sheaf. The net is UV (ultra violet) and weather resistant and very strong.

"It's been stringently tested to hurricane force in British Research Establishment wind tunnels," added Walter.

Now, a decade later, his Fastnet System is on the verge of commercial recognition.

He has been assisted by a Business Link personal business adviser to help overcome many of the hurdles Walter has encountered on the way.

These include quality systems and marketing. Business Link also referred Walter to Enterprise plc who specialise in helping get new products into the marketplace.

Results have included identifying the UK's fast growing sustainable development sector as a potential market for the Fastnet System.

It is now in contention as the preferred roof protection system for the country's largest sustainable development, a 100 acre office, factory and residential complex at Newark.

Dr Alan Green is a specialist consultant which Enterprise plc is supporting to work on Fastnet on market research and development.

"Roof protection is being built into the building standards and Fastnet is the only company with a product which meet the standards," he said.

The system is already successfully fitted to a supermarket and office roof and can also be applied to houses.

It operates by laying Paranet over the roof, tensioning in position and anchoring with stainless steel bars and brackets.

During installation, the building remains waterproof. There is minimal disturbance and roof obstacles, such as lights, vents and chimney stacks can be integrated.

The result is that tiles don't lift, the roof cladding remains intact and the property undamaged during heavy winds and gales.

Walter went on: "I wish I had it 10 years ago when the roof nearly blew off my house."

There are safety benefits too in that property, parked cars and pedestrians are safe because the tiles remain intact.

Commenting on Fastnet, Business Link for East Lancashire chief executive Phil Burgess said: "They have a product which has huge potential, particularly as Britain becomes more aware of the need for sustainable development.

"Together with Enterprise plc, we aim to help Fastnet develop their business and maximise their opportunities in the building protection and sustainable development sectors."

Fastnet, located in Exchange Street, Edenfield, has a four-strong staff.