A FORMER Hampshire window cleaner is celebrating becoming one of the head of the region's largest courier company after winning the Amtrak contract for the area.

Started in his mum's spare room in 1989, Gary Richards' firm Riva today employs 50 people and operates scores of vehicles.

Father-of-two Gary, 40, of Totton, said: "Looking back I never thought I would ever get where I am now. I drive round in an Aston Martin and have a house without a mortgage whereas when we first started I was living in my mum's spare bedroom running the business with a mobile phone.

"We have taken over the franchise for five years. "We now have the opportunity to double our business turnover but we have to sell the services first.

"I am very happy with the deal. There is a lot of opportunity within it and it's amazing when I think of where we started in 1989."

Amtrak bosses said they made the decision to award the sought after contract to Riva because of its quality customer service.

"When I started there wasn't any money but we managed. We focused on customer service, things went right for us and over the last 15 years things have grown and grown," said Gary, who has big plans for the future.

"Now we have an opportunity to expand with Amtrak and we are also looking at becoming a bonded warehouse. We are looking to continue to grow and are now looking to recruit people to help take us to the next level."