NEIGHBOURS who came up with their business idea while chatting over coffee have taken the plunge into the property lettings market.

Michelle Bewick and Keri McMullen have combined their respective experience in property maintenance and contract cleaning, and property sales and letting, to set up Eclipse Property Management, based in Houghton- le-Spring near Sunderland.

Ms McMullen said: “We knew the lettings market was a growth area, especially in the current climate.

“I’m passionate about property letting and wanted to take the experience I have and set up my own lettings business with a fresh and innovative approach to working. It made perfect sense to work with Michelle as she has so much knowledge about running your own business and I’m pleased we had that conversation over coffee.”