A HOLCOMBE Brook businessman has swapped the black board for the keyboard by logging on to a successful career in web site design and publishing.

And Reg Fowler is certainly in the market when it comes to allowing traders to set out their stalls worldwide.

His company, Webconstructor, was the major architect behind web sites recently established for Bury and Radcliffe markets which have allowed traders to go "on line" to showcase their products and services.

Ex-teacher Reg plans to consolidate his foothold in the Internet commercial sector by launching a tradesmen's directory on the world wide web.

Running a thriving web design and publishing business is a complete change of direction for Reg, of Brookside Close.

"It was a real change of business for me," he says. "Before then, I taught in special schools before getting involved in web design a couple of years ago.

"Getting all the basic knowledge was a combination of being self-taught and attending a Bury College course."

Last year, Reg worked in conjunction with Bury ISaware to enable Bury and Radcliffe market traders to reach a world wide customer base via the Internet.

With funding provided through the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB), the businessman interviewed a mix of stallholders, determined what they required, wrote the text, took the necessary photographs before setting up and establishing their individual web pages.

His other clients have included Wells Water Treatment Services in Bury, Radcliffe-based Ferrari Electroplating and TSC Swabs of Heywood.

"I'm able to design and publish web sites for small businesses and also for community groups and organisations," he explained.