BEING made redundant gave Graham Felton a new lease of life.

After losing his job Graham, of Hurstwood, near Worsthorne, set up his own engineering consultancy business.

And he recently helped one of his new customers make £2 million worth of savings.

Graham set up his venture with the help of the FirmBase business start-up scheme which provides financial support for fledgling firms and business counselling.

"I had a degree in engineering as well as a management studies qualification so I knew I was well qualified to set up my own consultancy. FirmBase support gave me the added confidence to strike out in a new direction," said Graham.

His firm, Compass Consulting, specialises in the window and building materials industry.

"The business planning advice from Burnley Enterprise Trust was excellent. I was able to write a solid and achievable business plan which has been invaluable."

Since it was launched ELTEC's FirmBase scheme has helped more than 2,000 business start ups in East Lancashire.

More than 80 per cent are still trading at the end of their first year, a survival rate well above the national average.

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