A NEW laundry service in Tredegar is literally a dream come true for owner Jacqueline Rees.

She had been thinking of taking her career in a new direction for some time when the answer came to her from an unexpected quarter.

"One night I dreamt that I was running a laundry in America," she said. "Then I thought, well why not?"

The laundry may have been launched a little closer to home, but the premonition has certainly paid off. The washing, drying and ironing service, set up with a £1,800 grant from the UK Steel Enterprise Kick Start Fund, is cleaning up in the town and surrounding area.

"The nearest competition is in Merthyr," said Jacqueline. "While most of our clients are in Tredegar and nearby, we are getting work from people as far away as Abergavenny."

Based near The Circle, Poppy's employs three people, and the plan is to expand into dry cleaning as the business grows.

Before setting up the venture, Jacqueline had some experience of self-employment and dealing with the public. "I have run clubs before, but this is a different business.

"I was very pleased with the support I had from the Job Centre, Blaenau Gwent council, and the financial assistance from the UK Steel Enterprise Kick Start Fund."

Andy Morris, investment executive with Corus subsidiary UK Steel Enterprise, said: "As well as creating employment, Poppy's is providing a much-needed service to the people of the area, and so fitted in well with the criteria for support from the Fund."

The Kick-Start Fund has helped launch over a dozen new businesses, many by former steelworkers, since it was set up a year ago with £60,000 funding from UK Steel Enterprise.

"It is virtually the only form of grant support for start-up companies in north Gwent and is playing an important role in the local economy, as we hoped it would," said Mr Morris.

Margaret Thomas, of Blaenau Gwent Enter-prise Support Scheme, said: "The fund has generated much interest, and Poppy's is a good example of what can be achieved. The service is geared to the needs of the community, and will be especially useful to those who find it difficult to travel."

And north Gwent's rugby clubs will also benefit. Teams from 13 clubs in the area will be turning out in freshly-laundered gear every Saturday afternoon thanks to the staff at Poppy's.