A SMALL manufacturing company based in Ebbw Vale has just patented a portable crazy golf game which it hopes will be sold all over the world.

Advanced Quality Products (AQP) was formed in 2002 by Terry Crump, 45. It's a limited company with just three shareholders and three other employees.

Mr Crump is managing director and majority shareholder. The other shareholders are Jennifer Grout, operations director, and Sharon Jones, finance director.

Mr Crump designed the golf game 'Crazy 18' after watching his son create obstacles on a polyester camping mat while practicing his putting skills.

Mr Crump was born and bred in Ebbw Vale and was an engineering apprentice just down the road from his current factory building.

In starting his own business he drew on his engineering skills and his love of golf, being a regular player at Raglan Parc Golf Club.

The cost of setting up the business was around £100,000.

The money came from the shareholders and was boosted by an Assembly Investment grant of around £25,000.

Sales director Rick Adams said: "Crazy 18 has got a sort of 'Twister' feel to it. It's a game that you can just roll out and play. There's nothing like it in the market place at all. That means there is no real competition as such; we've developed a perfect niche product."

Crazy 18 has been endorsed by YMG Academies (Young Masters Golf) and will initially be sold through its UK outlets.

YMG has around 450 academies nationwide and is also represented in professional golf shops.

Company spokesman David Gosling said: "The Crazy 18 game is brilliant fun for all the family, but more than that it is also a brilliant way to introduce youngsters to the art of putting, keeping score and having a great time. It's a game and it's a teaching aid and it's great fun."

Eventually, AQP also hopes to sell the game in retail outlets such as Hamleys and Toys R US.

It's made up of six multi-function obstacles and a course mat which combine in various sequences to make an 18-hole course. The obstacles are designed to improve hand/eye coordination and putting technique. In addition, players must observe a number of official Royal and Ancient golf rules.

It can be played indoors or out by one or more players and the materials have been chosen to make sure they don't dissolve on a wet school playing field.

The kit comes with a hole-by-hole scorecard, standard golf balls and two putters: one in child's size and one for adults.

Mr Crump is currently in discussion with Wales Trade International (and arm of the Assembly) to see if it is possible to manufacture and distribute the product in both the USA and Japan under licence.

And to put some wind behind the company sails the company plans to advertise the product in national golfing magazines.

Readers who like the sound of Crazy 18 can play an interactive version of the game for free on the company's website at www.crazy18.co.uk

Naturally Mr Adams is hoping that the interactive game will bolster sales of the real one. He is also optimistic about the game's chances of taking off in offices.

"What a way to build team spirit," he said (as long as you let the boss win!).

Crazy 18 is retailing at £79.99 and around 5,500 of the games have already been sold.

The company is also in the process of developing two more golfing-related products and Mr Crump is hopeful that more jobs may be created if the new products are successful.

He said: "There is a big hungry market for golfing products."