A PLYMOUTH man has gone from making glass to washing it after setting up his own window cleaning business.

Anthony Delafield (left) has launched Plymstock-based Supreme Window Cleaning Services after spending 40 years working for a glass and glazing company.

The 56-year-old joined a Plymouth company on leaving school, learning to cut glass and make double-glazing units.

But he took voluntary redundancy and said: “I had this inkling to do window cleaning.”

Mr Delafield attended the British Window Cleaning Academy in Swindon.

It was set up in 1997 as the training body for the window cleaning industry.

He took courses in window cleaning, health and safety and marketing.

Mr Delafield also attended courses run by start-up organisation Outset Plymouth. “I learned how to run a business, how taxation works, how to do the books, marketing, everything,” he said.

Delafield said the attractions of working as a window cleaner include being “out in the fresh air and meeting people”.

He said that in a businesses where there is a lot of competition it is vital to pay attention to the needs of customers. “If you don’t look after them someone else will,” he said.

Supreme Window Cleaning Services was launched at an Outset Plymouth Wednesday Club, in August. This month’s club, held every month, is tomorrow , from 2pm to 4pm, at Studio Lounge, in Millbay Road, when at least two new businesses will launch.

The club, for self-employed entrepreneurs, is open to anyone looking to set up on their own, or existing businesses looking to network.