A FORMER firefighter is hoping to secure hot property deals in North Wiltshire.

Oliver Cadle, 35, pictured, of Sherston, is the first licensee land buyer to be appointed in the area by land development firm Taylor Skelton Walters.

His job is to spot potential development opportunities in the Swindon, Malmesbury and Cirencester area and apply for planning permission. If successful, he could earn more than £30,000 for each deal he secures.

Mr Cadle, a father-of-two, said: "I started to renovate and let property during my corporate career, however that was not sustainable and I decided to join the fire service.

"I left the service last year to concentrate exclusively on property and now as a TSW licensee, I have an exciting opportunity."

Oliver won't necessarily be looking at Greenfield sites. The majority will be brownfield areas in towns like Cirencester. Mr Cadle added: "The financial rewards are excellent and as a licensee I receive 30 per cent of the profit on each land deal.

And Mr Cadle has no financial risk either, as TSW provides the funding for the land purchases they also train him in spotting the development potential.

He is the first of several licensees to be recruited.

John Skelton, managing director of TSW, said: "Licensees not only gain the experience and financial backing to move into a sector of the property market that was only accessible to large or significant developers, they will also live close to their appointed region and have complete autonomy over their hours and the way they work. Each land purchase could bring the licensee a minimum return of £30,000."

The service was born out of the need to provide more private housing in Cirencester. This has forced local authorities to relax planning regulations.

The company, which is based in Reading, aims to have 50 licensees covering the South of England by May 2005 and a nationwide network in two years' time. To find out more about becoming a licensee visit the website at: www.profitinland.co.uk