IT'S been a dog's life for former gasman Stephen Proctor as man's best friend has almost driven him barking mad.

Stephen, 34, was a meter reader for British Gas but was getting a little fed up with the seat of his pants being a target for less-than-friendly canines trying to take a chunk out of him when he went to read the dials.

He said: "I do actually like dogs, I even own one myself.

"But I'd been bitten so many times during my ten years with British Gas I decided a change in career might literally save my skin."

Stephen is still visiting homes on a regular basis - but for a very different reason. He now cleans carpets and upholstery.

"I thought it might be a bit safer," he joked.

Although he still has to go to people's houses Stephen makes sure that their pooches, friendly or not, are securely out of the way.

Meter reading is now part of Stephen's past as well as the scars of several hostile encounters of the four-legged kind.

He is now doing well with his franchise in Rainbow International Carpet Dying and Cleaning Company which he runs from his home in Roselyn Avenue, Blackpool.

He represents the company across the whole of the Fylde Coast and deals with all kinds of carpet and upholstery restoration, as well as handling claims for ten leading insurance companies.

"It's very interesting and provides great job satisfaction," he enthused.

"Plus, in this job I know that my body is safe from the hounds from hell!"

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