THE boss of a Kidderminster construction firm found himself in an enviable position when two soap star love rivals showed they are really firm friends.

Gary Bate, director of Macaulay Jones, squared up to Coronation Street's Debra Stephenson (who plays Frankie Baldwin) and Jane Danson (Leanne Battersby) as they put their on-screen squabbles behind them to officially open a Manchester furniture store, transformed by Gary's workforce.

Gary said it was great fun.

"Debra and Jane were absolute stars," he said. "Nothing was too much trouble. It was brilliant to see that Debra and Jane were the best of mates as they'd been at each other's throats on TV the night before."

Gary travelled up to Manchester for the launch of the latest branch of Cousins furniture store.

Macaulay Jones' work was praised by Cousins managing director Robert Shotton after they turned a burnt out building into a state of the art showroom in a matter of months.

"The renovation was a great achievement," he said. "Gary and his team showed great commitment to completing this on time."