By ALAN CALVERT, Industrial Editor OSBERT the Ostrich looks an alarming sort of investment. He is about nine foot tall with a bad temper not helped by sexual frustration.

But owner Gary Hall believes he is a big bird with a big future - and NatWest bank agrees.

Gary, a 23-year-old joiner, persuaded the men in suits to back his venture after completing the "Headstart" business start-up course through Bury Partnership.

His ostrich pen covers about two thirds of an acre on the smallholding he and his father David run behind their home in Stopes Road, Radcliffe.

Osbert and four females - smaller and not yet ready for breeding - contrast magnificently with the nearby sheep and poultry.

Gary, who left Radcliffe High School at 16, has been a regular at poultry shows since he was 12 and has had some success with his entries. Last July he was at the Great Yorkshire Agriculture Show and when he saw the ostriches it was love at first sight and he knew he had to have some.

"I was fascinated with them," Gary said today.

He thought the prices were a bit high at the show and went into it all with some determination when he got home, eventually buying his five ostriches from a breeder in the Fylde.

So how did NatWest react to his unusual business idea?

"They thought I was a bit silly at first, but I convinced the bank manager at Radcliffe, Brian Hassall," Gary said.

He has also had to put up with being known as "Ostrich Man" in the nearby Wellington pub and jokes about industrial tinfoil and the need for big ovens.

"They take the mickey out of me, but it is beginning to wear off a bit," Gary said.

Meanwhile, irritable Osbert has about another 11 months to go before his harem is ready for his attentions.

Gary expects to see little ostriches hatching out next spring and believes there is a growing market for the chicks as interest spreads. In the long term he will look towards the ostrich meat market.

"It tastes like a nice steak without any fat on it," Gary said. Osbert, who weighs in at 350 pounds and can run at 40 miles per hour, discourages people from joining him in the pen.

"He will try and have a go at kicking you," Gary said.

"When they kick you they can kill you."

But he remains convinced that "they are not so bad, really" and that ostriches represent a good business opportunity.

Mr Hassall said: "We were delighted to help Gary get up and running in such a unique business and wish him every success for the future.

"By offering our on-going support we hope to demonstrate to him that we do not bury our heads in the sand when it comes to small businesses."

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