AN ordinary looking semi in the peaceful Ribble Valley has played a major role in some of the biggest scandal stories of recent years.

National newspaper reporters hot on the trail of a cabinet minister's murky dealings or delving into the background on a prominent businessman often call on Anthony Capstick to help.

His Instant Search business information service, which has grown from a bedroom enterprise to a thriving firm turning over £160,000 in just four years, is now used by thousands of customers across the world.

In 1991, Anthony, then a report writer for the Financial Times, and his wife Katie decided to quit the rat race in London and return to Lancashire.

He had toyed with the idea of setting up an on-line business information service for some time and from a house in Padiham set about putting it to the test.

He believed there was a market for people who wanted to find out specific business information quickly but did not want the hassle of finding it for themselves.

By offering company reports and other material within minutes by fax without the need for subscription, he was sure he had the edge to succeed. The business now subscribes to a wide range of financial databases and can find information on companies and directors across the world and fax or E-mail it back to customers using a sophisticated computer system developed by Anthony.

Reports include information on companies' financial status, individual directors and county court judgments.

The nature of the business means it is no disadvantage being based in a rural location.

"You can be at the heart of things without actually being there."

Today the business, which moved to a converted house in George Street, Whalley, three years ago, has 4,000 customers and has grown at more than 30 per cent a year.

Finding suitable staff to help the business continue its dramatic growth is a difficulty.

"It is a problem finding people with the right skills," admitted Anthony, 38, who now employs three people and is looking to recruit another.

Although the backbone of the business is still supplying business information, Instant Search is also ideally placed for the Internet explosion.

Anthony's surfing skills have already led to him being dubbed the 'Internet Detective' by Radio 5 who will be testing his ability to track down obscure information during Science Week.

Why not put your company in the spotlight and have a chance of winning a share of a £10,000 prize fund by entering the East Lancashire Business Awards?

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

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