TAVISTOCK man James Pattison always wanted to be a landscape gardener, but did not really know how to get started.
But with the help of a couple of local organisations he has started up his own business.
Training and advice from the West Devon Environmental Network, coupled with a loan from the Prince's Trust, has given James a sound basis for his new venture.
'Ley of the Land was brilliant,' he said. 'I hadn't a clue what to do, but they arranged everything from training to helping me with the paperwork to get the qualifications and practical experience I needed — and it's all free.'
James managed to secure a loan from the Prince's Trust for a van and some tools and reports business is good. The trust will also provide a business mentor to help support James through the early critical period of his new business.
The Ley of the Land project, which has been running for four years, has helped about 400 other young people forge a future in land-based employment in West Devon.