A BOLTON company which has built up a national reputation in a specialised field is planning further expansion in London and the south-east.

Michael Ward Ltd, which services and maintains vehicles for refrigerated fleet operators, is set to invest a further £250,000 in a new depot and equipment.

The company has a turnover of £6 million and has expanded steadily since it was founded 27 years ago.

Mr Ward, aged 50, went from Johnson Fold Primary and Smithills Secondary Modern to become a an apprentice auto-electrician working on the old Bolton Corporation Transport bus fleet.

He left at 21 to work in a garage and later became involved in installing and repairing refrigerated equipment in vehicles -- a market which was just developing.

As he developed his expertise, he realised that his skills were in demand and in 1975 he started working from his home in Frinton Road, Over Hulton with administrative support from his wife Sue.

They were joined in 1977 by motor mechanic Paul Delanty, now the Service Director.

The business moved to Barrow Bridge in 1980 and the former Burtons Mill in Halliwell three years later.

In 1989 it transferred to a purpose-built building in Lynstock Way, Lostock -- now occupied by Cell Security -- and moved further down the road in 1993 in order to meet the demands of a growing enterprise.

These days there are about 100 employees -- mostly spread round Bolton and depots in Scotland, Yorkshire, West Midlands and the South-west.

The operation in the South-east, London and East Anglia -- where the company sees a developing market -- is currently served by a number of engineers who work from home.

They are one of three main UK companies which maintain and service all sizes of refrigerated vehicles used by supermarket groups and others.

Eighteen months ago the company invested £500,000 at the Bolton site in new workshops and impressive training facilities.

The company now looks after 2,500 vehicles and is looking forward to establishing the South-east depot.

Mr Ward, who says he simply "recognised a gap in the market", remembers some of the comments when he left the bus depot.

"They said they would see me back," he remembers with a smile.