THE owners of a Helmsley-based furniture showroom are celebrating 18 successful years in business.

Westway Country Furniture, which specialises in prestige oak furniture, was set up by husband and wife team, Jeremy and Jane Dzierzek, in 1987, in what they refer to as a 'moment of madness', through a love of antique furniture and a keen interest in restoration, leaving behind their respective careers in engineering and administration.

When Matthew was born in 1987, Westway Pine was selling furniture from the front room of the couple's Helmsley home.

As the business developed and began restoring antique pine furniture, they started looking for larger premises in the town.

Now, as Matthew turns 18, Westway - now Westway Country Furniture - has also come of age, operating from 1,800 sq ft premises on Carlton Lane in Helmsley that houses an enviable collection of contemporary and traditional oak furniture, as well as leather sofas and chairs, pottery, local wrought ironwork, lamps and accessories.

It hasn't always been plain sailing, and whilst Jane recalls some of the 'growing pains' the business has shared with her teenage son, her overriding memories are positive and both she and Jeremy are delighted with the firm's success:

"We've developed a loyal customer base over the years - including some celebrities, stately homes and TV appearances along the way - as well as diversifying from antique pine restoration into the sale of French oak furniture.

"It's lovely to see people coming back again and again, we'll always do our best to make sure our customers are happy," she says.

Now Jeremy and Jane have branched out yet again, with the launch of a brand new range of handmade English pippy oak furniture that extends their extensive furniture collection still further.

And the secret of their success? The right products, and customer service that is second to none, according to Jane.

"We select furniture for our collection very carefully," she says. "We stock distinctive pieces, and we believe that this - coupled with our welcoming and friendly approach - is what keeps people coming back."

"A recent customer was so pleased to have found a shop that welcomed children that when her order was complete she was close to tears!"

Updated: 16:18 Wednesday, July 27, 2005