What started out as one man and his van supplying and fitting tyres for commercial vehicles is now a thriving family business which is a one-stop shop for all motoring needs.

Tech Tyres Ltd, in Outgang Lane, Osbaldwick, York, now employs 12 staff, has an MoT station, spray shop and servicing and valeting bays.

It has four mobile vehicles, all with tyre-fitting machines and balancers to carry out site work and roadside tyre breakdowns and it can provide a vehicle recovery service for breakdowns or accidents.

Now the company is entering the Small Business and Family Business categories in The Press Business Awards 2013.

It all started in 2001 when Vic Smith was made redundant from the national company he had worked for as a tyre technician for 19 years.

The company closed its York branch, leaving a gap in the market for commercial tyre management.

He started a mobile business, one man and his van to service these fleets from a small lock-up in James Street, York, with the support of friends and family and York Business Advice Centre.

From there, the firm just grew. Mr Smith and his wife, Debbie, have worked in the business from the outset and the other family members have joined Tech Tyres as it expanded.

He said: "We are a family company big on personal service with good value prices and excellent service.

"We are York's only local family run independent tyre and auto-care specialist and we pride ourselves in offering independent advice and guidance on all tyre and auto-care services.

‘‘We have well over 300 business-account customers and a massive retail clientele."