Kim McCulloch has made a career out of a chore most women hate.

Last month was the anniversary of the launch of The Iron Lady. There was no political reason for the name of her Wilsden business - "my brother thought of it," she says, during the early morning lull before the doors open and her regulars pop by with bags brimming with creased clothes ready for her to iron.

Kim's workload means she's constantly pressed' for time and, with increasing demand for her services, she does deliveries too. She's already employed another member of staff to meet demand from her loyal customers.

The reason why she's so busy, she believes, is that ironing is a chore most women detest... she admits she wasn't too fond of it herself.

"I didn't like ironing and I didn't know whether I wanted to do it myself but I thought I'd take a gamble," she says.

Kim spent the early part of her working life in part-time jobs she could fit around raising her daughter. She did a bit of driving - she's been a taxi driver and her last job was delivering parts for a Keighley car firm.

"Then I saw the shop in Wilsden. I've always wanted to work for myself and I know people hate ironing so I thought about an ironing shop," she says. "It was quiet to begin with but now it's quite manic at times."

Kim believes one reason why ironing shops such as hers are taking off is pressure on families. "Both parents are working and they don't have the time.

"Some women enjoy it. Once I got stuck into it I was alright but I hated getting everything out. I took a gamble as to whether I actually wanted to do it for a job, but I enjoy it now."

Working under steam during the recent summer heatwave, Kim managed to keep her cool under a fan.

"It has been quite hot," she says. "The essential thing is to make sure the garments look nice and professional looking."

So far, she says, she hasn't had any disasters. She's never burnt anything and all the clothes in her care have gone out in a professional condition.

Kim also contracts out to offer dry cleaning services and knows it's appreciated from the comments she receives from customers.

"Many people have said you are a Godsend - you've given me my weekends back'. They absolutely love it," says Kim.

She has expert hands on call to cope with the hectic periods. "Sometimes I'll rope in my mum, Loretta."

Her advice to anyone wanting to set up on their own is not to hesitate.

"You need to have a bit of common sense and knowledge of what you are going into. I also think you have to have confidence as well in my job to deal with people.

"For me, having my own business means independence, being my own boss and being successful."