Sky's the limit for David

David Fishwick, managing director of David Fishwick LDV Van and Minibus, Colne, started the venture after people kept asking to borrow his private 'copter.

Using four choppers, including a new £250,000 US-made Raven II, David Fishwick Helicopters Ltd now provides corporate trips for businesses, anniversaries and helps people learn to fly.

Nelson-born David, who built up his £13.5million turnover minibus business from a small garage, said: "I fly all over in my helicopter and there were always people asking me if they could borrow it.

"This made me realise there was an opportunity to begin a charter business.

"It has been used by numerous clients, including Asda, whose executives have visit stores around the country.

"I use it to visit our Birmingham office. I can be back in East Lancashire within a couple of hours."

David's love of flying began in the 1990s and it was at this time, while on a holiday in Los Angeles, he visited the Robinson Helicopter Company.

He said: "We had looked around the factory.

"It was a fascinating day and when I left I knew I would one day own one of these helicopters, which are the best that money can buy."

Six months ago, David, 34, fulfilled ordered his new machine, paying a second visit to the Robinson Helicopter Company to see it being made.

While father-of-two David and wife Nicky intend to enjoy evening and weekend helicopter rides, its main use will be to provide charter flights.

He will charter his two larger helicopters for between £400 and £500 an hour and two smaller aircraft for training purposes for around £250.

David has almost 350 hours helicopter flight time but employs two pilots, who will fly clients from the company's office at Blackpool airport.

Eventually he hopes to buy two small planes to charter.

Valerie Miles, policy manager at East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said: "A chartered helicopter service in this region should be very useful."