BEING made redundant twice in a matter of a few years left Paul Rance feeling low.

But the former print worker has turned his life around by setting up his own business.

PR Maintenance Services offers a varied selection of trade services to customers. In the 18 months since establishing his company, Mr Rance’s work has all been gained through word of mouth recommendations.

The 43-year-old, who is married to wife Katie and has a three-year-old daughter Ruby, and another baby due in May, is in the second year of a three-year electrician’s course.

“I was made redundant from Stocks in Witham, a small finishing company where I had moved to from a well-paid job in Hainault, London, to be closer to Colchester and my family,” he said.

“After 11 months I was made redundant, but the company folded not long after.

“I was completely down, thinking about my age and wondering why I had moved.”

He had always completed odd jobs for friends and family, so when someone suggested he did it professionally, he liked the idea.

With the help of £50 a week from a Government scheme set up to help people become self-employed, free courses at Business Link and advice from the Learning Shop in Colchester High Street, Paul, of Kimberly Road, New Town, found himself self employed.

“My first job was through a guy I met on the course at Business Link and it just snowballed,” he said.

“You just have to put yourself out there because it really is hard. Then you have to do a really good job, be reliable and do what you say you are going to do.”