Consultancy aiming to help companies protect the environment

But as awareness about environmental issues grows, a new breed of small businesses is emerging.

They don't plan to become multinationals, but they believe they can carve out a profitable niche in a growing sector which reflects the changing priorities of our times.

A consultancy has been established in North Yorkshire which helps companies to protect the environment.

Quants Environmental, which has offices in Ripon and Leeds, is enabling companies to grow without harming rare species or causing pollution.

Quants managing director Andrew Westgarth` has formed the start-up company after securing 40,000 of funding from NatWest bank.

The company plans to serve customers across the UK.

Mr Westgarth and operations director Toby Fisher have extensive experience in enironmental services.

Mr Westgarth said: "I'm really happy we've been able to make our first steps and already have some very interesting projects under way including specialist bat work at Swinsty Reservoir Lodge (in North Yorkshire) development services for golf courses, ecological planning support to local architects and planners and a whole range of bird, badger, invasive weed removal and great crested newt surveys within the private sector.

"It's important that we can use our experience in the field to provide quality and timely services to our customers and we take great pride in the standard of our work.

"We take a balanced approach to our work to provide a unique service for our clients; one that is commercially as well as environmentally driven. Without Nat West's support, none of this would have been possible, especially during what can only be classed as testing commercial times."

Steve Ellis, the relationship manager for NatWest, said of the deal: "Andrew has a very impressive venture on his hands here and it's been a pleasure to make his vision a reality.

"Nationally, we are helping around 2,000 new businesses get off the ground every week and I'm keen to see as many of those in the Harrogate and district area as possible. I look forward to continuingto workwith Andrew as Quants grows in the future."