NEWPORT as a focus for a Welsh fashion industry? MIKE BUCKINGHAM meets a man who says he can make it happen.

"I Like Blinking, I do". The words of Helen Adams uttered on the television programme Big Brother caused hilarity and despair in equal measure.

But for entrepreneur Nigel Troake that sentence contained a little golden nugget. "It didn't do us any harm at all," smiles the man who had the quick wits and business acumen to knock out thousands of tee-shirts with the Adams-ism emblazoned upon them. Exploiting such strokes of luck as they come along is a way of life in the fashion industry. Nigel Troake, though, is a businessman with a mission.

Only months from now Nigel Troake's fashion business - which has a Welsh flavour - could be transformed into a trendy 'Covent Garden' for stylish young clothes designers, graphic artists and jewellers.

Nigel, 47, is a sports-mad Newportonian who left Hartridge Comprehensive for a career in sports centre management but found the job too boring.

"After a bit I realised it wasn't for me and came back to Newport with the idea of selling tracksuits and other sports-related equipment.

"I had a shop in Newport Centre for a while but the trouble was I was at the mercy of suppliers. "I realised that the only way was to do the lot myself." Ken Williams, a friend in the fashion and leisure wear business, took Nigel under his wing and soon the former sports centre manager was literally stitching himself together the beginnings of a business.

"I came back to Newport with the intention of making things with a Welsh theme. At first I found a place in Rochester Road, which had a large garage where we could screen print and embroider lines.

"By the time we had premises above the old Barracks in Lower Dock Street we were supplying something like 40 shops all over Wales."

The business cashed in on an appetite for novelty items with a Welsh identity. "We started doing printed aprons which had things on like 'Feed me 'til I Want No More' and other fun items.

"After a while we got big enough to move to where we are, further down Lower Dock Street. In the meantime I'd teamed up with Cardiff fashion retailer Peter Colley who had a couple of shops. They fitted the bill as outlets.

"Now one of the shops opposite Cardiff Castle, called Siop Ddraig, has become a stop for tourists, Welsh rugby supporters and others who want to tell the world they're Welsh. "When that girl said 'I like blinking, I do' I thought for a few seconds about whether it would be a commercial proposition to knock out T-shirts and decided it was." With the gimmicky lines selling nicely, and an established reputation in screen printed and embroidered leisure wear, the entrepreneur says it's time to explore pastures new. "What I have in mind is a sort of a Covent Garden in this corner of Newport where young designers can come and work under my roof.

"The whole thing would go under the title Textile Design Centre for Wales and would harness the talents of design graduates coming from Newport university and other places.

"This part of Newport is turning into a 'crafty' corner of town with a restaurant and an art gallery and we would like to build on that. Young businesses would rent their space and find their own market, while looking to me for common services."

Each year design graduates spill from the design faculty of Newport's university college into an uncertain employment market. It is these that the former Hartridge Comprehensive boy would like to have on board.

Mr Troake hopes his plan will find favour with Newport council. A scheme to restore the lower floor of his lower Dock Street factory into something approaching what it would have looked like 100 years ago is also thought to have found favour. If there's business out there Nigel Troake and those who work with him under the umbrella title Pocket Dragon will chase it.

Last week the three sisters who will sing before the crowd at the Wales - Ireland rugby match next month came to have their dresses fitted.

Elin, Buddug and Eirian James said they were delighted with the creations. There is evidence of Pocket Dragon's work on the terraces as well. The Company produces leisurewear for Pontypool RFC and Troake confesses to coveting the Newport RFC concession.

Nigel Troake could have a slogan, too - 'I Love Blinking Wales, I Do'.

*PICTURED: Nigel Troake makes sure of his figures for the costumes he's making for the James Sisters