A Thurso man has 'bin' awarded a grant to set up a 'wheelie' useful business. Calum Hossack has received £3,000 from Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) to establish 'Wheelie Clean', a business cleaning commercial and domestic wheelie bins.

Run by the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network, HIE Starts provides financial support for new business starts as well as advice, training and aftercare support. Fledgling businesses are awarded a modest grant which provides them with a regular monthly income for the first 12 months of trading.

Commenting on his new venture Calum said: "I have been thinking about starting up my own wheeled bin cleaning service since 1999. Now that I have finally decided to go for it, the assistance I am receiving from CASE via the HIE Starts scheme is invaluable."

Chief executive at CASE, Carroll Buxton said: "Encouraging new business starts is a priority for CASE and we recognise that starting a new business can be a very daunting prospect. However with financial support and valuable advice and support from our team, we are able to help a very diverse range of new businesses, which are the key to an area's future prosperity."

For more information on the HIE Starts programme contact Ian Thomson at CASE on tel: 01847 805229 or email: i.thomson@hient.co.uk.