A mechanic who made a horsebox as a gift for his niece seven years ago has turned his skills into a nationwide money-spinning business.

John Stevens decided to try his hand at making the transporter for Maisie, then aged nine, to save her family thousands of pounds.

He now runs JMS Horseboxes with wife Nicola, has a team of four workers and has recently expanded into a disused factory on the Hoo Peninsula.

The 33-year-old, who has been in the motor trade since leaving school, turns out bespoke animal trailers which start at about £17,000 and can fetch up to £33,000 each.

The dad-of-four had been trading at a site on Northfleet Industrial Estate, but has relocated to a former microlight manufacturing workshop in Middle Stoke.

The Meopham resident said: "I've always been good with my hands and when my sister told me how much a horsebox would cost I thought I'd give it a go.

"And I really enjoyed doing it. At first, I was turning out three or four a month, now its more like two a week."

John makes boxes to order for customers all over the UK.

He added: "I also like to put my own stamp on things. If I get a car, I like to put different coloured wheels on."

John, who lives with Nicola, 33, in Rhododendron Avenue, said: "It's quite a niche market.

"There's only a handful of us in the south. We shipped one off to the Isle of Man the other days and we were up in Liverpool the other week.

"When we saw old Medway Microlights place was up for sale we jumped at it – especially as where we were we could have been impacted by the London Resort theme park.

"It's bigger and we just keep going from strength to strength."

The company specialises in 3.5 ton boxes which accommodate two horses.

It also carries out repairs and a spare parts service.