A former soldier has launched a new scaffolding firm in North Yorkshire.

Dan Smith, 32, from Richmond joined the Royal Irish Regiment aged 16 he served for four years with a tour in Iraq. In 2010, he started training as a scaffolder after leaving the military and qualified in 2012.

Dan established his new firm UK Scaffold in April this year.

The veteran has worked across the UK and abroad, as well as offshore. He moved to London in 2016 but returned to Richmondshire two years later to be closer to his daughter.

Speaking to Richmondshire Today Dan said: “After going from job to job I decided to set up my own company in April.

“The company is growing at a good rate and we are hoping to take on apprentice at the back end of this year.

“I will be actively looking to give something back to the community and looking for veterans who want to learn a good trade in civvy street..

“Moving forward my aim is for UK Scaffold to be a leading scaffolding contractor in the North Yorkshire and North-East area.”