I was born on a council estate in Salford and attended the local comprehensive school. My parents always instilled in me a work ethic and I surprised both them and myself by becoming the first person in my family to go to university.

I have been living in the area for some 35 years.

I have lived in Blackburn all my life and went to a local school. At university I graduated with a degree in chemical engineering .I joined a multinational company as a production manager then started my own manufacturing business in Blackburn, which at one time employed over 25 people.