A SMALL drama-based training company in Welland, near Malvern, has managed to secure new clients "Down Under" after delivering some taster sessions last August.

Nelson Training, in conjunction with the New South Wales and Queensland Chambers of Commerce, demonstrated their unique methods to more than 90 potential clients in Sydney and Brisbane in Australia.

Some of Australia's biggest organisations went along to the events and as a result the company is returning in April this year to train four companies over a period of three weeks.

Managing director of Nelson Training, Viv Nelson, was delighted with the success.

"Our trip last year was part funded by an initiative known as the "passport scheme" run by the Chamber of Commerce to help British firms export, and it has paid off with new enquiries coming in by the day from those who met us last year.

"While me and my two actors were in Australia last year, we auditioned seven Sydney-based actors and can now bring some local authenticity to the training sketches with these new recruits.

"In the UK, I use many talented actors, including some who are currently in West End shows such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

"It is a fun way of training, without all the boring overheads and projectors usually associated with such meetings.

"Without doubt, when we go to Australia, we are most excited by the prospect of training all the staff at the famous Taronga Zoo, Sydney, in customer care skills.

"We are going out there on April 6 and the location is stunning. Also, we will get to see parts of the zoo not normally open to the public."

Other clients include the NSW Chamber, The British Consulate, and KeyCorp, who are also based in Melbourne.

Two years ago, Nelson Training, which is based in Drake Street, won the Malvern Hills District Council business excellence platinum awards in the arts category after only trading for two years.

The company has now expanded to having 120 client organisations, and has trained in six countries.