A commercial cleaning company owned by Bradford Bulls star Matt Diskin and his uncle is set to grow and create jobs following support from the Bradford-based Business Enterprise Fund.

Matt, the Bulls’ joint captain, and Terry Diskin are founders of Birstall-based Aquabright, which specialises in cleaning industrial and commercial premises across the North of England.

The business is expanding after a £20,000 investment from BEF, which offers loans and assistance to entrepreneurs who have been turned down by the banks and is supported by the European Union.

Matt and Terry are hoping to grow the business even more over the next two to three years and create more jobs.

Terry said: “The Business Enterprise Fund has been absolutely fantastic in helping us out. The money they lent us gave us the boost we needed to help grow the business quickly.

“The money borrowed allowed us to take on several new staff, one of which had been without employment for the last six years.”

Aquabright was formed two years ago when Terry and Matt decided they wanted to go into business together. Although Matt has to divide his time between his rugby career and his two other businesses, he has played a key role in Aquabright’s development.

Terry said: “I’ve worked in cleaning for a long time now, almost 15 years, but Matt didn’t have much experience of the cleaning industry before we set up.

“He’s not able to be here as much as he would like due to his Bulls commitments but I do enjoy running a business with him and it is great to have him on board.

“He’s got a great business mind.

“BEF have been absolutely fantastic in helping us out, from giving us money to providing us with business support along the way.”

Earlier this year Aquabright launched a partnership with the Bradford Bulls Foundation to support its work with a range of community activities focusing on children and young people. The firm’s community programme contributes time, materials, resources and financial donations.

For more details about BEF visit befund.org, call 0845 2003919 or e-mail info@befund.org. Follow BEF on Twitter @be_fund.