A FORMER pig farmer proved that there is more than one way of bringing home the bacon when he changed his career to the graphics industry.

Chris Booth, 36, of Knaresborough, put an end to 45 years of family farming when he set up e-business Graphics Direct in 1998.

Now the former farmer is in with a chance of carrying off the e-commerce Business of the Year title in the 2004 Evening Press Business of the Year Awards.

Chris decided to change careers because changing market conditions meant bleak times for many producers.

Having previously spent eight years working for a graphics manufacturer, he took advantage of a gap in the market - supplying students with brand-named materials at a discount - when he had his original idea for a business.

He and fellow director Paul Hawkridge, appointed in 2000, now run a thriving business that sells graphics and art materials to retail and business clients across the country.

This year, turnover is expected to top half a million pounds, after a record year in 2003.

The company offers a 30 to 60 per cent discount on what it calls "branded highest quality trusted products" - such as specialist pens, pencils, presentation materials, mounting boards, inks, spray guns and glues - to advertising and design agencies, architects, graphics and printing companies, schools, universities and students.

It also sells to top companies including the BBC, Hallmark Cards Plc, McCain Foods, JCB and Jaeger.

Updated: 11:37 Friday, July 23, 2004