WHEN Paul Baldwin (pictured) was made redundant from Llanwern Steelworks, he knew he wanted to stand on his own two feet.

So, in a complete change of career direction, he decided to help other people do the same.

After being made redundant by steel firm Corus, 34-year-old Mr Baldwin started to train for a completely new job - as a chiropodist.

Mr Baldwin, a former continuous caster controller manager at the steelmaking end of Llanwern plant for 14 years, says he has turned the misfortune of redundancy to his advantage.

Mr Baldwin, who had looked after his family's feet, decided to take it one step further and turn it into a new career.

It took him two years to retrain as a chiropodist - which he did while still working at Llanwern - and he started his new practice in Bath Street, Newport, two months after being made redundant in April.

Now his wife Patricia is helping to run the business and daughters ten-year-old Grace and Kate, seven, are showing an interest too.

Mr Baldwin told the Argus that initial market research showed that an increasing number of people have to wait from three to six months for national health chiropody - so they are turning to the private sector.

"And people are deciding to look after themselves better by using the services of a chiropodist who offers clinic and home visits, meaning there would be a demand for my services," he said.

"I realised that I had been given the chance to turn a possible disaster to a successful career, an opportunity that most people dream of, but unfortunately do nothing about.

"After completing two years training at the Greater Cheshire School of chiropody, I became a Member of the Association of Chiropodists and podiatrists.

"Instead of joining an existing practise we decided that it would be more rewarding to start our own clinic in my home city of Newport."

He added that without the support of his family and friends it would have been the hardest time in his life - but with their help he has turned the venture into a successful business.

His wife is employed part time by the business as a secretary and bookkeeper at the clinic.

"Our plans include the extension of the clinic and services that we offer to include bio-mechanics, cryosurgery, reflexology and aromatherapy, all of which I intend to introduce over the next six months," he said.

Mr Baldwin is not the only ex-Corus worker to take an unusual direction following redundancy.

The Argus recently featured the story of former steelworker Andrew Davies, who became a funeral director after being made redundant from Llanwern last year. The 40-year-old Newport man exchanged 12-hour shifts on the huge coke ovens in Llanwern for a morning coat and top hat at Green Willow Funerals in Malpas.

* Paul Baldwin can be contacted on 01633 765896.