A FASHION and bridal designer has fought back against redundancy to launch a successful business.

Phil Woodhead says he was close to bankruptcy after losing his job with a wedding firm.

However, the 31-year-old received mentoring and funding from The Prince’s Trust to set up Buckley, in Middlesbrough.

His work has been showcased at Newcastle Fashion Week, with the youth charity awarding him a £1,000 grant to buy new equipment.

His successes come as latest figures show one in five young people in Middlesbrough are struggling to find a job, with the town having one of the UK’s lowest rates for self-employment.

Mr Woodhead said: “After leaving college, I couldn’t wait to get started but fashion jobs are very hard to come by in the North-East.

“I worked in retail for a couple of years until I found a role at a bridal gown company where I loved making brides feel beautiful on their big day.”

However, after three years, he was made redundant, and turned to The Price’s Trust for support.

He said: “I took a few clients with me, which kept me going for a while, but I knew I needed something more solid and that’s when I got in touch with the trust.

“I love running my own business and none of this would have been possible without The Prince’s Trust.”

Jonathan Townsend, The Prince’s Trust’s North of England regional director, added: “Young people can achieve amazing things with the right support and we want more to help more to become their own boss.”

For more information contact princes-trust.org.uk/ideas