A NEW delivery operation in Pocklington has generated ten jobs - five paid staff and five franchised couriers.

The Pocklington Industrial estate venture is the 100th Fastway Couriers depot worldwide.

Steve Gent, 51, who lives at Elvington, has acquired the rights to operate the depot franchise for North and East Yorkshire.

He said: "I've been in business for most of my life. For the past 14 years I had a cigarette vending machine business and I was very proud of the sales growth I achieved until I heard about Fastway Couriers. Their rate of growth has been phenomenal."

Mr Gent decided to sell his cigarette vending machine business after changes to laws relating to smoking in pubs in Ireland.

Updated: 11:01 Thursday, April 14, 2005