FOUR areas in Gwent are bucking the national trend for small business start-ups.

And leading the way is Torfaen, which has seen the biggest increase in business start-ups than any other area of the UK.

Across the country, small business start-ups fell from 129,000 in the first quarter of 2004 to 116,300 in the same period in 2005, according to research from Barclays Bank.

There were only 45 local authorities in England and Wales where small business start-ups increased, with Torfaen coming top with 62 per cent, ahead of Barking and Dagenham, London, with 59 per cent.

In Torfaen, there were 110 new businesses in the first quarter of 2004 and this rose to 180 in 2005.

Not far behind is Blaenau Gwent with a 44 per cent rise from 140 to 200 businesses, Newport saw a rise of 20 per cent from 240 to 290, Caerphilly nine per cent from 250 to 280 but in Monmouthshire, start-ups fell by three per cent from 280 to 270.

Businessman Stephen Williams set up All Surface Technology in Panteg, near Pontypool, in November last year with his wife Maggie.

The couple, who live in Usk, decided Torfaen was the most attractive area to set up business after looking at areas in Gwent and south east Wales.

He said: "We looked at Newport, Cardiff and Torfaen and, after doing our research, Torfaen seemed the right place to locate.

"The people we dealt with at Torfaen council were helpful and supportive and the legal and professional business advice they offered was superb.

"Torfaen is a good area geographically because it has easy access to the motorway and there is little congestion."

In seven months, the firm has grown and now employs six staff.

Councillor Neil Lewis, Torfaen's executive member for the environment, economic development and regeneration, said: "This is fantastic news.

"Small businesses are crucial to the local economy providing jobs for local people who in turn spend their cash in the area.

"I think Torfaen is attractive to new entrepreneurs because it has so many benefits. It has great links to the M4 and M5."