UPBEAT Stuart Barnes today urged people to be positive as he claimed it was not all doom and gloom in the business world in Dorset.

He said that workers were still making a living and many businesses were ticking along nicely' despite wider fears about the economy.

Mr Barnes, who runs businesses from his base in Weymouth, said: "People should be positive.

"We hear about parking prices, debt and places closing but I'm being optimistic.

"My glass is half full and it's the way you have to be. It's good to be like that. People should be positive. For example, we have the Olympics coming here in four years."

Mr Barnes added: "All I can say is that my company is doing well.

"I have good people who work for me. We are fully booked until next year."

Mr Barnes runs a window, conservatory and building company called Stuart Barnes Ltd. But he also has Coastal Plumbing and Gas and Coastal Computing.

He employs about 30 people and is based in Portland Road, Wyke Regis, Weymouth.

His workers carry out projects locally as well as further afield, such as the Isle of Wight and Essex.

One recent job has been two extensions and a major refurbishment of customer Caroline Morgan's home in Manor Road, Dorchester.

Mrs Morgan, who is married to Robbie with three children, echoed Mr Barnes's sentiments.

She added: "It was good to have a local firm and to have such a good experience from a local company."

Mr Barnes's rallying cry came amid concerns about growing debt in Dorset and after Fordingtons Builders, Windows and Conservato-ries company closed down.

Mr Barnes insisted that people were still making a living.

Shane Green, 35, who works for Coastal Plumbing and Gas, said: "We are still getting lots of enquiries. Some are word of mouth as well as phone calls. Stuart is always very positive."