STUDENT Jake Holdsworth couldn’t find a part-time job, so he has set up his own business, selling radio-controlled helicopters.

He got the idea after his father was given one as a present, and found it expensive to send off for spare parts after crashing it while he was learning to fly.

“I couldn't believe how expensive it was for him to find the parts for repairs. I clicked and ordered some parts on the cheap from a US model shop.” said Mr Holdsworth.

“Originally, I started selling the spare parts on eBay as a hobby and I could see there was money to be made.”

Soon he was turning over about £500 a month, but had to import from the US because he didn't have business premises.

He persuaded a friend of the family to invest, and now operates from an office in Windmill Road, Headington — in between lectures for the second year of his business information systems degree — and is registered at Companies House with the “pretty cool” title of managing director. He also has his own website, www.rc-choppers.co.uk.

Since he relaunched the business in January, turnover has grown from £1,500 in December to almost £9,000.