AS YOUNGSTERS Elaine and Angela Caffrey did most things together -- and in business their partnership is just as strong.

The sisters, who are now Elaine Battersby and Angela Sharples, recently packed in their day jobs and entered the world of self-enterprise when they took over a sandwich shop in Blackburn.

Elaine and Angela, who are 44 and 40 respectively, bought the Bread Box, in Ballantrae Road, Shadsworth, as a going concern just before Christmas and after a nervous start, business is booming.

Elaine said: "On the day we signed for the shop we got broken into that very night but nothing has happened since and it is going well. The people around here are great and a community like this needs shops just as shops need the community."

Elaine was formerly a sewing machinist and Angela a pharmacy assistant and although both had always fancied being their own boss they never did anything about it until late last year when the urge finally became too much. And when the shop became available the pair jumped at the chance. After taking business advice from the Lancashire Enterprise, securing a business loan and completing a hygiene course, the sisters opened up for business.

Elaine said: "It was daunting in the beginning but it's pretty straight forward. It's hard work but we both love it, as sisters we have always been close and this has made us grow closer still."

The main staple of their sandwich business is the breakfast trade where the old favourite bacon and egg is the best seller but they also do a wide range of sandwiches and pies and offer a delivery service.

The only drawback with preparing food all day, said Elaine, is that she does not like to take her work home with her.

She said: "I used to really enjoy cooking but I don't do it as much as I used to now we've got the shop.