Two college friends have launched an emergency handyman service for those with neither the time nor expertise for DIY.

Ian Budd and Graham Aylmore both attended Northbrook College in Worthing and also travelled across Europe as engineers for global processing and packaging company Romaco.

Now they are reuniting to help people in Brighton and Hove who need a job doing around the home or in the workplace.

Armed with toolboxes and gleaming new Minis, they have opened the county1s first 0800handyman franchise.

The call-out service is already well established in London and the Home Counties.

The most common calls are for drilling expertise to hang pictures, mirrors and notice-boards, assembling flat-pack furniture and electrical jobs.

More unusual assignments include requests to cut a chopping board in half to fit in a family's dishwasher, fit miniature light bulbs in a dolls' house and connect home stereos.

The company charges £30 for the first half hour and £20 for each half an hour after that.

Graham, 38, who lives in Lancing, said: "We believe there is a big market for a professional handyman service in Brighton and Hove.

"The city is similar to London in that there are a lot of people living a busy city lifestyle where free time is limited.

"Single people, professional couples, young families and the elderly end up with long lists of DIY jobs which never get done.

"We have rivals in Brighton but we have the infrastructure of an already established business which is heavily used in other parts of the country."

Ian, 39, who is married with four children and lives in Mile Oak, said: "We have both travelled extensively and are used to providing clients across Europe with a very high standard of customer service."

Apart from homeowners, the pair want to work with letting agents, landlords and small businesses in the city and surrounding area.

Graham said: "This is a very big buy-to-let area with lots of new projects and redevelopments. We are looking to build partnerships with businesses."

May 3, 2005