Ref. 29453-23HELEN Richell is the only female plumber on her foundation course at Swindon College but she's not round the U-bend, she's determined to cut it in this male-dominated profession.

Single mum Mrs Richell, 36, from Old Walcot, has already launched her own business called The Wench With A Wrench and hopes to plug a gap in the market of female plumbers.

She said: "I don't know any other women in the business. But I love the work and hope I can make it like any man."

This year Swindon College, in Regent Circus, has around 200 students taking plumbing courses.

Mrs Richell embarked on a one-year plumbing foundation course last year after getting divorced.

The profession has given her a new lease of life because it means she can spend more time with her 11-year-old daughter, Stephanie. And the manual work makes a welcome change from her previous job as a night telephone controller for an emergency doctor's surgery.

She said: "I can now devote more time to my daughter because I work while she's at school and am there for her in the evenings."

To promote her business, Mrs Richell is posting flyers and business cards bearing the title The Wench With A Wrench on notice boards in shops and local businesses.

Since setting up the business just before Christmas, she has accumulated satisfied customers on her books. Despite the humorous name, Mrs Richer has only had one hoax caller.

She said: "Things are looking really promising. The one crank call was a text message from A Lake, who claimed to have a leaky tap. Men in the profession have been marvellous and even recommended me for jobs."

Armed with not one, but three, hefty wrenches, and a bulging tool bag, Mrs Richell is equipped to tackle leaky taps, mend toilets and even fit new bathroom suites.

Diane Bezer, from Shaw, is more than happy with her work.

She said: "My whole bathroom is being replaced and Helen is doing a wonderful job. Women tend to be tidier than men."

David Zerebecki, plumbing programme leader at Swindon College, thinks women plumbers are in demand.

He said: "There is definitely a niche market.

"Single parents and the elderly sometimes feel more comfortable with a woman."

Last year the number of plumbing students at the college rose by around 10 per cent, in the wake of media speculation that plumbers could earn up to £100,000 a year.

Mr Zerebecki said although there is a shortage of skilled plumbers, qualified plumbers rarely earn more than £30,000.

Factfile . . .

Swindon College runs full-time and part-time plumbing courses and is now interviewing students for next year. The one-year foundation course is being replaced by the more comprehensive technical certificate, which lasts two years. Once working in the industry, plumbers can then work towards becoming Corgi registered. For more information call 01793 491591.

There are currently around 14,000 plumbers working in the South West, according to the Construction Industry Training Board. It predicts some 2,000 more will be needed by 2007 to cope with building demand.

The Institute of Plumbing is a national organisation which aims to raise the standards of plumbing. In 2002 the IoP launched the Women in Plumbing Group to support women entering the profession.

The group was set up after the IoP received an influx of callers asking for female plumbers.

Carol Cannavon, IoP spokeswoman, said: "There are around 120,000 plumbers in the country and less than 1 per cent of these are women. This special group aims to raise the profile of female plumbers and offer them advice."

For more information on the IoP visit the website www.plumbers.org.uk.

Victoria Tagg