NEXT time you're checking in at the airport take a close look at the luggage label on your suitcase.

There's a chance that the piece of string or rubber band on it was tied by staff at an East Lancashire firm that has cornered what is undoubtedly a niche market.

"We do those 'who on earth does that?' jobs," explained partner Paul Whitney.

It may sound a strange business but, in the three years Whitney Woods has been in operation, it has swelled to a £400,000-plus a year operation employing 17 people.

Entry forms for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph East Lancashire Business Awards are available by writing to PO Box 19, Blackpool, FY1 3NT, or telephoning 01254 678678 extension 258.

There are five categories open for entry with a prize fund totalling more than £10,000.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.