MICHAEL Beatty is a man of iron.

The father-of-three has turned gender roles on the head by becoming what is believed to be Bolton's first male professional ironing service.

The self-styled Iron Angel admits he likes nothing better than a day spent at home with a basketful of clothes and a hot iron.

He has proved a hit with his customers three weeks after starting off.

Michael, from Little Lever, has also got on the right side of his wife, Susan, a nursery nurse.

When she comes home from work, she has no washing or ironing to worry about as Mike likes to do the lot.

He said: "I've always done the ironing at home and won't let the wife near it as she's rubbish at it.

"In the past a number of people, particularly women, have seen me doing it and said to me: 'I hate ironing, will you please do mine?'"

"So after I lost my job in a factory, I decided to give it a go."

Michael, of Cambridge Drive, got help from the Enterprise Centre in Deane, which helps the unemployed set up in business.

He admits his friends down the pub couldn't stop laughing when he told them about his new career.

He said: "The comments have been coming in thick and fast, particularly because the business is called 'Iron Angel'

"But I don't care because I'm enjoying my work and really chuffed that it is taking off.

"It's surprising what a sense of achievement it gives me when I have rows of neatly ironed clothes covered in polythene and hanging up ready to take away.

"I find myself looking at shirts and marvelling at how beautifully ironed they are.

"My wife was sceptical at first but she has certainly warmed to the idea and the business is building up nicely."

Michael offers a free collection and delivery service and charges £5.75 an hour for his services.

And if you hate ironing, and are willing to pay, he can be contacted on 576603.