I'M not half having trouble with my water works.

First it was a pouring roof, second the water tank burst and on Saturday a central heating radiator was discovered leaking.

Typically the plumber who had used the rad to drain the system when he replaced the cylinder last month was away on holiday for two weeks.

Fears of £40 call outs and extortionate charges flashed through my mind, so I decided on a different route to try and patch it up until he returned.

What a great move. I went to a really friendly plumbing centre to get some advice and on explaining the situation was given the name of a highly recommended plumber said to be a great bloke, would do a good job and would be willing to help, even at short notice at weekend.

How right they were.

On calling he said he charged £13 an hour and he would be round later to weigh up the job. Within two hours he was on the doorstep and had it sorted within two minutes.

I asked what the damage was, expecting at least a £30 bill for taking the trouble to come, but he said he wasn't bothered about any money. After negotiations I ended up paying this plumber from heaven a fiver. So they're not all money grabbing time wasters. If only more tradesmen were like that.

He's certainly gone down in my book for further work, if and when needed, and will be highly recommended to anyone else.

Surely that's the way to build up a successful business.