A young Caithness woman is hoping to offer a new lease of life to tired and weary furniture throughout the north.

Catherine Macleod (25) will provide a complete furniture restoration service from a workshop at her home in Thrumster, although she also has plans to eventually make a range of pieces from her own designs.

Catherine was able to start her business, Caithness Furniture, thanks to assistance from the HIE Starts programme, which is managed by Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE).

In addition to qualifications in art and design Catherine recently graduated from The Thomas Chippendale School of Furniture in East Lothian with a diploma in furniture restoration and the design and making of furniture.

As part of her research into the demand for such a service, Catherine restored a number of items of furniture for various clients, including Ackergill Tower.

Arlette Bannister of Ackergill Tower commented: "We have given Catherine a wide range of pieces to restore and no task is ever too great. At Ackergill we have a considerable variety of furniture, accumulated over time, which Catherine enjoys working with. She has a keen eye for detail and is enthusiastic about every task she undertakes."

Catherine said: "There were difficult decisions to make before taking the plunge into self employment but everyone at CASE has been really helpful and I have received a lot of advice and guidance from them.

"I am sure there are a lot of people out there with furniture they have been intending to get restored but never get round to doing anything about it."

CASE business counsellor, Ian Thomson said: "Catherine has the skills to make this venture a success and the assistance available under the HIE Starts scheme has given her the confidence to start the business. I have no doubt that there will be demand for her services from the local community."

CASE provides tailored support to eligible individuals wishing to start a business by providing income for a period, a small capital grant and free business counselling and advice.