Dry cleaning is a pressing matter for MP Dr Evan Harris.

Before he is to speak in the House on behalf of his constituents, he likes to reach into his wardrobe and pick out a spotless navy blue suit.

MP Evan Harris, left, is given a demonstration of the steam stain removal equipment by Purple Label founding directors Louise Evans and Stuart Tofts

But the MP for Oxford West and Abingdon often finds himself staring at a battered jacket and is forced to resort to a scrubbing brush.

"I've just invested in a great book, the Encyclopaedia of Stains," said Dr Harris. "But with some dry cleaning garments, I just shove them in the washing machine and hope for the best."

The 37-year-old Liberal Democrat health spokesman is often heard bringing the Government to book on issues such as hospital waiting times. But on March 6 he turned his hand to opening Purple Label, a dry cleaning and laundry service at Milton Park industrial estate, near Didcot.

"I always like to support new businesses and I think this one could be a great success," said Dr Harris, who was there as the friend of a friend of the laundry's owners.

The company is run by Stuart Tofts, 26, and Louise Evans, 27.

"We knew there was a gap in the market for a firm that would collect dry cleaning from offices and return it the next day," said Mr Tofts.

And Miss Evans had picked up a number of ideas from her mother Christine, who ran her own ironing business for 12 years.

"My mum didn't advertise, but in the end she was turning customers away," she said.

"We'll be starting small and focusing on Milton Park, Oxford Business Park and Oxford Science Park. But we're well placed, just off the A34.

"We can incorporate delivery costs into the price of cleaning, because we'll be able to pick up the suits in bulk."

The pair have already had a positive response from people working at Milton Park.

They will soon be able to take e-mail laundry requests from customers through their website www.purplelabel.co.uk

The firm's prices are competitive, with a two-piece suit costing £9.95, while a service wash -- including ironing -- for a bag of laundry, will cost £5.95 per kg.

It may take a while to repay the £100,000 start-up costs. At the moment, there are no other employees, so while Miss Evans cleans the clothes, Mr Tofts will be busy driving the van.

But Glen Tomkins, a writer from Laundry and Cleaning News, who travelled from his office in Sidcup, Kent, to see the new venture, said: "They're in a very good position with an excellent customer base. I think Purple Label will do very well."

Then, without any further flannel, Dr Harris happily posed with a scrubbing brush for the publicity photos and declared the business open.