A FRUSTRATED Longdon musician, fed up at being forced to travel to buy so much as a guitar string, has set up a music shop in Upton.

Father-of-two Mark Woolley has ploughed his family savings into the project, which has seen him set up shop in part of Rosie's Corner at Bridge House, Waterside.

The building was submerged several times last year but he is not worried by threat of floods.

"It's all moveable stock," said Mr Woolley.

"Eventually, I want to move but at the moment I'm finding my feet and I'm very grateful to Rose (Kitchen) for letting me share her premises."

Early signs are that the gamble is paying off, but the shop - Upton Music - has only been officially open since December 7.

"The interest I've had has been really encouraging," said said.

Mr Woolley specialises in guitars but also has many other instruments and accessories.

He plays 12-string guitar with Upton-based folk band The Reel Bones, which is where he first encountered the demand for a music shop.

"There's a big scene round here and I know there's a market for what I want to do," he said. Mr Woolley took the opportunity to set up the business when he was made redundant from his job in Cheltenham earlier this year.