AN American idea to help people sort out their lives is taking off in Wyre Forest.

"Tidy-minded" Ann Meisner has taken a leaf out of her Detroit-based mother-in-law's book to set up ABClutterbuster (Attics, Boxrooms and Cupboards) a firm which aims to sort out offices and homes.

She said: "In America, it would be called Attics, Basements and Closets, but the idea is the same. Ann Meisner who has launched a new firm to clean up offices and homes.

"My mother-in-law is an amazing woman. She is in her 70s and still working for the company she set up which is now a thriving family firm."

Ann, 48, has worked as a manager for an international company in the car parts industry. She met and married her husband, Matthew, while working in America and the couple have moved to Far Forest where Ann is aiming for a change in direction with her new company.

She said: "Most of us are great accumulators, gathering and hoarding bits and pieces at work and at home. A lot ends up as an unfinished project gathering dust and taking up space.

"One of the worst jobs we face as individuals is clearing effects from a house after the death of a loved one.

"There is a feeling that everything should be kept and preserved which is just not possible. I aim to take over the sheer physical effort and alleviate some of the emotional distress."

She added: "I am not a fashion consultant but I do have a good eye and have successfully helped people work through their wardrobes as well.

"Some of the basics to remember is that you must never buy a garment to slim into and never keep something you have not worn for two years. That would take a lot of the clutter out of a wardrobe straight away."

To contact Ann, phone 01299 266084 on email her on abclutterbuster@aol.com.