STARTING up a business at any age can be a daunting prospect.

But for James Gillings and Frank Patterson, creating furniture firm Gillerson Pine in their early 20s was the best decision they ever made.

Still going strong 17 years later, the firm which is based in Canal Road, Trowbridge, specialises in pine and oak furniture – over the years they have changed their products to keep up with fluctuating market trends.

Mr Gillings said: “Over the years, I have seen the business change and everything we make is made to order.

“At the time when we started the business in 1999, we were working for a different company and then we thought ‘why don’t we start one of our own’.

“I think we are quite proud that people ask for our furniture and go into shops to try and find it. Personally, I’m proud of the fact we started from nothing and that we are still here today.

“There are a lot of different products here, all handmade, and I think one thing that has stayed the same over the years is that people are still prepared to pay for quality.”

Far from flat-packed furniture, Gillerson Pine’s 21-strong team can make up to 150 orders a week, from carefully crafted cupboards to drawer sets and even bed frames.

Kerry Glass, who has worked for the company for seven years, said: “We try to keep up with the trends and we do have to change what we are offering to our customers who like a range of styles from cottage to oak. We do a lot of bespoke work and customers can take their pick and in nine times out of 10, the guys here will be able to replicate what they want.”

The company was initially based at the White Horse Business Park, but after two years there they moved to Canal Road where they have remained ever since.