An American golf course drainage expert is among the five new franchisees recently welcomed into the Drain Doctor Plumbing franchise family.

John Schmeltz, 47, is originally from Ohio, USA, but is now setting up his own plumbing and drainage business in Exeter with his English wife, Bernadette.

John and Bernadette have purchased the Exter franchise because it offers them an opportunity to develop a thriving business through offering 'dazzling' levels of service.

Previously John worked in the golfing industry in the USA, UK and Spain, maintaining and constructing golf courses. He also played a large part in ensuring golf courses drain correctly.

He said: "Although we looked at a number of plumbing franchises, we chose Drain Doctor Plumbing because we were very impressed with the system it operates, the opportunity to build a business for ourselves and the desire at head office for franchisees to succeed."

Launched in the United Kingdom in 1993, Drain Doctor Plumbing quickly grew to become the country's largest emergency plumbing and drain repair service. It now provides a 24 hour a day, 365 days a year service across the country.

Over in Cardiff Wyn Thomas (37) is the new owner of the Drain Doctor Plumbing business for the Welsh capital. A former engineer, he has a degree in mechanical engineering and has also been practising yoga for the past 10 years.

Wyn is setting up his own business to provide security for his Swedish partner Mimmi and their five-month old girl, Linnea.

Previously Wyn worked as a manufacturing engineer for companies including beauty products business Estee Lauder so has the technical knowledge to make his business successful.

In Bolton and Wigan, two friends have launched their own business. James McGarrity (28) and Carl Jones (31) have been friends for more than a dozen years as they followed separate careers - James as a drainage technician and Carl as a refrigeration engineer.

Both were thinking of starting their own businesses and, as they discussed their plans, they could see benefits in working together. They decided to take on the Bolton and Wigan Drain Doctor franchise because it meant they would be working locally in an industry with which they are familiar - and because they were impressed with the emphasis which the company places on customer service.

James' own background in the drainage industry means he can offer particular expertise in areas such as drain lining while Carl brings experience of dealing with the complex pipework of refrigeration systems - where even the smallest leak can lead to major problems.

In Bristol, Darren Fusco, 38, is a keen amateur sea fisherman who has just taken over the Drain Doctor Plumbing business for the area.

Darren has a background in the construction trade but has now taken the opportunity to build a business for himself and provide security for his family - wife Joanne, 37, and children Hannah, 11, and Jessica, 9.

"Because I am taking over a mature business, Drain Doctor Plumbing is a national company that is well known in the city and I am looking forward to continuing the high standard that the company has attained over the past decade.

"This franchise appealed to me because of the potential for growth in Bristol - it is a thriving city. Drain Doctor Plumbing has very similar values and ethics to me, focused around customer care and sensible prices."

The fifth new franchisees are setting up business in the coastal town of Brighton. Alvin Jones (39) has worked as a plumber all his life - as his father did before him. Together with wife Korina he has built up his own thriving business in Kent but he is now set to 'step up a gear' in a different part of the country.

Some customers will also find an unusual 'plumber's mate' accompanying technicians on jobs. Korina (37) will be continuing the practice she has developed over the past two years of going out on jobs whenever she is able to.

She said: "Customers love to see a woman getting her hands dirty! Many customers also seem to trust you more as a woman."