A HAMPSHIRE craftsman has returned to his trade after more than a decade away.

Mark Saban, of Kings Worthy, runs a garden and furniture company at the Garthowen Garden Centre, Four Marks, after a leave of absence as a joiner.

The 47-year-old spent 13 years in masonry before giving it up in 2002 to sell wine.

He's since been given an £8,000 start-up loan from SWIG finance which he will use to kick-start his business to branch into timber framing and garage construction.

Mr Saban said: “After nine years as a wine merchant I realised I really missed making things. So I decided to sell the wine shop and get back to my tools and start making again.

“I knew what I wanted to do but finance was very difficult and wasn't really getting anywhere. Then I saw something online about SWIG Finance and it and went from there.

“I'm using a different material now, making custom built garden buildings and furniture and many other products from wood. And I'm so busy that I don't know where to look. The difference with my products is that they are hand made by me in my workshop and they are all made properly and built to last. I really enjoy my work, the finished product really matters and I think customers appreciate that.”