A SHATTERED dream to play rugby for his home town club paved the way for success in another field for Lee Connolly.

Two years ago Lee suffered a career-ending sports injury, which left his rugby league hopes in tatters.

But the 24-year-old has bounced back to become a successful entrepreneur, setting up 'Blast Away UK' industrial cleaners with business partners Andy Friar and Lee Campbell.

The trio recently scooped three highly acclaimed honours at a prestigious business awards ceremony in Chester and Lee, of Upton, Widnes, says it's all down to a good idea and lots of hard work.

"We got the idea when we saw how much work was going on in cleaning Liverpool up for the Capital of Culture bid.

"Andy was sick of being a scaffolder and I was on the dole after quitting rugby so we just took a chance on an idea and it gained momentum from there really," he said.

"When we first did our business plan and applied for a grant we had no idea we would end up winning awards at posh dos. It was just a way of making a living."

The lads were rewarded for nine months of hard work with three awards for their fledgling company.

Blast Away scooped Best Business, Best Growth Potential and Shell LiveWire's People, Planets and Profits award.

Thanks to the initial support of Halton Council and the Prince's Trust, the lads now have a prize of £500 to spend on new equipment and £300-worth of professional business advice.

Lee said: "No-one nominated knew who had won until the night itself and we certainly didn't think we would win anything.

"We were up against PR firms, stress management experts, salons, the works, so to win an award for tidying up brickwork and making buildings look smarter is fantastic."