A BUSINESS that sells everything for left-handed people has just signed a world-wide distribution deal for an educational video it has produced.

Anything Left-Handed, in Worcester's Charles Street, has been selling customised gadgets, tools and equipment for left-handed people since 1994.

Three years-ago, owner Mark Stewart and his wife Heather, who is a supply teacher, put their years of joint experience to use and produced a video aimed at teachers and parents of left-handed youngsters.

The couple, who started Anything Left-Handed after being unable to find left-handed scissors for their, then, four-year-old son, have just signed a deal with a major Canadian distributor of educational media for the world-wide distribution of the video.

"When we first started we never even vaguely imagined it would grow to this extent," said Mr Stewart, who had previously worked in a bank, the police force, a probation hostel and as manager of sixth-form accommodation at the Worcester College for the Blind.

"When we first opened, a disabled lady in a chair bought four or five things and she said 'you don't know how you've changed my life'. I thought then, even if we go pear-shaped from here, it's been worth it."

The video was produced three-years-ago but, despite being endorsed by Parliament in 1999, no money was made available by the Government for its promotion.

"We couldn't get the Government interested so we contacted the Chamber of Commerce in Worcester which, through Trade Partners UK, downloads business leads for companies looking to match with complementary overseas companies," said Mr Stewart, aged 45.

"I kept looking every day and soon Magic Lantern Communications appeared, wanting educational videos."

The script for the video, entitled Left-Handed Children A Guide for Teachers and Parents, was approved by the Teacher Training Agency, which has sent it to every teacher training college in England.

Mr Stewart, who is not left-handed, also runs courses at schools and universities under the Government's Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships initiative.

Two-years-ago, the business moved from its original premises in Worcester's New Street when Mr Stewart started also selling Formative Fun educational toys and books for children aged up to 16.

Despite the shop exceeding expectations, Mr Stewart has an open mind regarding the future.

"We'll wait and see about the exporting," he said.

"I hope we can continue the courses. They're enjoyable and, I think, very beneficial."