A COUPLE who have spent years struggling to find work have opened their own shop after scraping together every penny they have.

Dee and Bob Clements, from Cricklade, have welcomed the first customers into BDC Clocks and Collectibles.

Bob has been unemployed for the best part of five years while Dee has not been able to work for three years due to health problems.

Dee, 55, said: “We have scrimped and saved every penny we have to make this happen. We didn't get any help from the Jobcentre so we've done it all ourselves.

“To get the stock we went to antiques auctions all over and my partner found some clocks on eBay “We've had to live on pasta and we didn’t have a social life for months, we even cut back on shampoo and conditioner.

“It took months to get everything together and by the end our bedrooms were full of stuff. We knew it would be hard to do but it’s been worth it to get started on our own.

“To see what we’ve got in our shop is unbelievable.”

The results of the couple’s hard work can be found at Bizspace’s BSS House in Cheney Manor.

Bizspace offer managed workspace across the UK and the Swindon site has risen to 95 occupancy with around 70 companies.

Bob, 50, worked as a mortgage broker but has had no solid career since selling the company five years ago.

“We already had a lot of collectibles at home and we used a lot of our own stuff along with the items we’ve brought in,” he said.

“Opening up is a proud moment. The customers have come in and said how good it all looks and hopefully trade will be brisk.”

The first two months of this year showed a slight dip in the number of people claiming out-of-work benefits.

The total of 5,283 in February was down by 137 on January, despite a string of business going to the wall.