THAT'S two enterprising businessmen who have taken over the helm of Whitefield Insurance Services in their first venture into company ownership.

Both Steve Hopwood (37) and 31-year-old Steve Foster saw the Bury Old Road firm as an ideal opportunity to go it alone after previous owner Les Fielding decided to sell up.

Mr Hopwood explained: "Mr Fielding had run the company with his wife and son. Myself and Steve Foster were looking for our own business and this one came along. The premises and location are ideal. It certainly fits the bill."

Both men had previously worked at a brokers in Nelson. "We'd both been there since school. I'd worked there for 21 years and Steve 15 years. I was commercial manager while Steve was personal insurance manager. We just got to the stage where we both felt we couldn't go any further. We looked at one or two businesses but Whitefield Insurance Services was the most promising one as Mr Fielding was retiring," added Steve.

Both business partners have retained the services of two staff members who had previously worked for Mr Fielding.