A new manufacturing business in Sutherland is aiming to stay ahead of the game with help from Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise.

Keeper Concept ( www.keeperconcept.com ) make various pieces of equipment to help gamekeepers and stalkers go about their daily wildlife management duties including high seats for controlling deer and foxes, vehicle mounted shooting platforms and game hanging racks.  Also on offer are portable All Terrain Vehicle ramps, meld mesh dog runs and anti-fox grids, with many other items under development.

Former gamekeeper Martin Livings is the man behind Keeper Concept.  Working from his home in Golspie - and with help from his wife Sharon - he hopes to offer sporting estates an alternative to mail order supplies from south of the border.

Martin will manufacture goods to order with specifications to meet the customer's requirements and can demonstrate equipment on site.

CASE has assisted Martin to set up Keeper Concept via the HIE Starts programme.  This European-funded initiative 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 Martin said: "Sharon and I are looking forward to working alongside gamekeepers, stalkers and estates involved in conservation and wildlife management by supplying competitively priced goods for both local and national needs, all developed through personal experience."

Colin Ritchie, CASE's HIE Starts manager in Golspie said: "Martin has made excellent use of his knowledge of the practical requirements of gamekeepers and stalkers to set up his business. There is no doubt that his willingness to manufacture to customers' individual requirements will give him a big advantage.

"He carried out extensive market research prior to setting up his venture and is totally dedicated to making a success of his business."

Chief executive of 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 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."