SETTING up a diving school in landlocked Bolton might not be everyone's idea of a business winner.

But, after just one year of trading and with more than 100 local members, Bolton Area Divers (BAD) Limited is celebrating twelve months in the black.

And new expert qualifications for two of its instructors have allowed the company to extend its range of courses.

Jeff Hulme, BAD director, said: "Bolton Area Divers Limited is a Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) diver training school with a difference.

"It's a co-operative of individuals with an interest in providing the opportunity to dive within its local community."

The club, based on Brownlow Business Park, Bolton has turned over £35,000 in its first year. Bolton Area Divers uses the facilities at Turton High School to do the "confined water section of their courses, and for "open water there are trips as far as Scotland.

Instructors Matt McMinn and Alex Roberts recently qualified to become open water scuba instructors.

Their training in theory and practical skills took more than a year.

Managing director Carl Sanders said: "Having Matt and Alex qualified allows the club to extend the range and number of courses we can offer to all levels of diver."