AWARD-winning blacksmith Philip Grob has been working hard to forge a career in his chosen craft.

He uses a borrowed forge dating from the Second World War and bought an anvil with a start-up grant from Test Valley Borough Council.

This year he also won the rural business of the year title in the Test Valley Business Awards and was also highly commended in the new business category.

His embryonic business has been hindered by the fact that the forge is open to the elements, and a plan to build a new enclosed workshop at his parents' home in Over Wallop was opposed by council planning officers.

Last week, however, planning councillors granted him permission and the relief was palpable as Philip went off to celebrate.

Philip left boarding school thinking he wanted to be a farrier but decided to go to Manchester University first to read international business and German.

"I knew that I didn't want a nine to five job so I left after two years," he explained.

He got valuable work experience with a local farrier before deciding that he really wanted to be a blacksmith.

He said: "It's a three-year course to become a farrier and it's actually illegal for a blacksmith to shoe horses."

Nether Wallop blacksmith Tony West has been very supportive and now Philip is fashioning a niche for himself in ornamental home and garden features.

"My niche is that whatever I make you cannot buy off the shelf," he said.

"Everything I make is a one-off made-to-measure item that you cannot buy in the shops." But he also repairs farm machinery and works for thatchers.

He will be building his new workshop himself - as well as treating himself to a brand new forge.