A FORMER civil servant has given up his career to follow his heart and start a canoe and kayaking business.

Ian Humpleby, who worked as a project manager, started North East Canoe and Kayak Adventure to sell and hire equipment, and offer lessons and trips.

The North Shields-based entrepreneur learned to kayak when he was 16 when he was in the Army and developed a passion for the sport.

But he realised there was a gap in the market because he had to travel to Carlisle to find equipment.

He said: “It was following yet another trip over the country to Carlisle to buy equipment that I found myself the next day sat in a meeting in an office in London with the sun beaming through the window, thinking there has got to be a different way to earn a living.

“I had a job that I enjoyed but I had a hobby that I loved and I was confident it could be transformed into a successful business.”

He received support to start his enterprise from The Business Factory, which helped him to source funding.

North Tyneside’s elected mayor Linda Arkley said: “The North Tyneside coastline is developing a great reputation as a watersports destination so it’s fantastic to see a local resident using our enviable location as a platform to launch his own business.

“It goes to show that North Tyneside is a great place for so many different companies to do business.”