A FORMER gardener is hoping his new business will take off after deciding to take a career U-turn following open-heart surgery last year.

Simon Stickland from Great Sankey has launched a drone photography and filming business called Dragons Eye Filming after undergoing the life-saving operation.

The 45-year-old, who has previously worked as a groundsman for a social housing group, said: "In March I had open-heart surgery for a faulty heart valve I was born with.

"It was success but because of the amount of time I had off I lost my job.

"I have always been a radio control geek for more than 30 years and have worked as a volunteer photographer for conservation groups.

"I decided it was time to work for myself and – excuse my pun – drones were taking off."

The dad-of-two has so far captured a number of photographs of Warrington from great heights and is keen to carry on with his work to show the town from this sky-high perspective. 

While drones have been subject to fierce scrutiny, Simon believes they can be used as a force for good.

Simon, who is a volunteer photographer for the Woodland Trust, said: "It's understandable that some people may be concerned and wary as it is new technology.

"It's about educating people and showing the positive side of it.

"I am friends with some people who have used drones to capture people who poach animals illegally.

"You could use it to find areas where water is drying out for conservation purposes. 

"You can do this quickly and cheaply compared to other methods. 

"It is a tool which – if used wisely and usefully – could be a real benefit."

The drone photography, filming and aerial surveys business has now been accredited by the Civil Aviation Authority to fly commercially. 

"We are already looking to expand and thermal imagery will soon be available from the air using our latest equipment," he said.

"This has massive potential from seeing the insulation and heat loss of buildings to remotely checking large electrical installations for faults.

"Data from our aerial thermal camera will also be able to detect early problems in crops and vegetation – even help find missing people."