AN ENTERPRISING Ashford man has pulled himself out of the dole queue and started up his own business, with a little help from the Prince's Trust.

Matt Dighton, 28, of Alfred Road, Newtown has been running his successful window cleaning business, Crystal Clear, since February, after 18 months of unemployment.

He said: "I found out about the Prince's Trust through the Job Centre. They've been really good. You have to submit a business plan and they appoint a mentor who offers you advice and encouragement. They gave me a loan of £2,500 and I report back to them once a month."

The charity often steps in after applicants have been turned down for funding by the bank.

"I don't think enough unemployed people know about the Prince's Trust," said Matt. "I would encourage people to go for it. You have to submit a proper plan. They are very good, very supportive - and they don't laugh at your ideas."

After months of unemployment, Matt is now kept busy mainly working on commercial premises.

He said: "I do work on a few houses, but it's mainly businesses. I work at the French Connection pub at Orbital Park, two Travel Inns and a couple of pubs."

Rowan Pringle of the Prince's Trust, who helped Matt, said: "We'd love some more clients from the Ashford area. The first thing people should do is contact us and we can send them an enquiry pack. After that we can meet up with them and discuss their plans. We can also help them put together a business plan. All our mentors are volunteers who link up with their clients regularly."