A CHORLEY man has used a Government scheme to turn dreams into reality after starting his own business as a chocolatier.

Paul Williams, 42, started his own chocolate firm two years after he was made redundant from his 20-year career in the finance industry.

Paul had always been passionate about good food and, after months of looking at different business ideas, decided that he would like to open a fine quality chocolate business.

He set up ‘Choc Amor’ with help from the government’s New Enterprise Allowance scheme (NEA).

He said: “Since I opened the shop two years ago the business is doing better than I could have wished for.

“In September I expanded the business by opening a chocolate coffee shop, in Tarleton, called the Chocolate Rooms and have taken on eight members of staff.

“I absolutely love my work, and am so glad I started up my own business in something I thoroughly enjoy.

“You spend the majority of your waking hours at work, so why not love what you do?

“I would encourage anyone to follow their dreams, and consider a career in something you truly love.”

More than 40,000 people have moved from claiming benefits to running their own business thanks to the New Enterprise Allowance scheme.

The scheme offers expert mentoring and financial support to people on Jobseeker’s Allowance, lone parents, and people on sickness benefits who want to start up their own business.