TWO joiners who learned their trade at Warrington Collegiate are celebrating the fifth anniversary of their growing building company.

Callands resident Lee Irving, 39, founded Space Design and Build in 2014 before bringing friend and fellow student Phil Rourke, 38, on board in 2017 to cope with rising demand.

The workforce has since grown to 30 tradesmen and they are supported in the office by Lee’s wife Rachel, their daughter Ellie and the family’s popular American Bulldog Frankie.

Lee said: "With every passing day, we’re building more private and commercial extensions; it’s incredible to see how far we have come.

"Phil and I kept in touch after college when he was busy doing his own thing as a self-employed joiner.

"Bringing him into the business as a fellow director has meant we can achieve so much more together.

"As a member of the Federation of Master Builders, we look after people from the first phone call to the last lick of paint and aim to be the best building company in the region."

Phil, who lives in Chapelford, said: "We have great relationships with our customers and love to put a smile on their faces.

"We’ve worked in some neighbourhoods for up to two years, with one customer after another recommending us to their family members, friends and neighbours.

"More recently, we have been helping the owners of Sankey Valley Methodist Circuit to fulfil their obligations to their tenants by providing an expert maintenance service."

Lee and Phil have fitted out their new, larger unit at Clarendon Court, Winwick Quay with a brand-new meeting room to allow them to invite new clients in to discuss their requirements.

Next year, in addition to expanding their maintenance contracts, Space Design and Build hope to take on small new-build developments.

Lee added: "One of the best things about our success is that we’re in a position to give back to the town we grew up in.

"We are delighted to sponsor Phoenix Fire amateur boxing, Crosfields JFC Under 10s girls’ team and Crosfields ARLFC.

"When Friends of Meadowside put out a DIY SOS, we responded by donating materials and our trade services.

"We’re looking forward to the future, but we’ll never forget where we’ve come from – and that’s thanks to our customers, who have entrusted us with their homes."