A SOUTH Lakeland man is rising on the ladder to success after showing competitors a clean set of heels.

Kelvin Lee's business Lakes Window Cleaners has a clear view of the future after making the final repayment of a business start-up loan made by the Cumbria Capital Fund three years ago.

Mr Lee has secured a number of big contracts, including all Lakeland Limited's properties, two retirement homes and several large hotel.

He has also spent time at Kendal College learning more about the fundamentals of business management.

Business is booming to such an extent that the Kendal-based firm is looking to take on two cleaners to help with the growing workload.

"I really need two window cleaners. My girlfriend helps me holding the ladders for me, that sort of thing, but even paying £6 per hour, it is difficult to find anybody to help with window cleaning," he said.

Mr Lee secured the Cumbria Capital Fund (CCF) loan through Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency (CREA), and fund officials said loan repayments had been made in an exemplary manner.

The fund scheme was set up by Cumbria County Council in 1988 to provide loans to plug gaps of where normal borrowing was not possible.

Mr Lee (pictured), 38, said: "CREA organised several routes of funding when I began, and I couldn't have started without them or the CCF loan. I've always made sure the payments were made on time. It's just good business sense to do so, as I may want to expand in the near future."

CREA chief executive Bob Clark commented: "We couldn't be more pleased with how Kelvin and his business have gone forward, and it's another fine example of someone growing their self-employment into a business."