A politician once famously encouraged people to get on their bikes to look for work.

Sam Howarth, 22, from Northwich, appears to have taken the advice quite literally as his company Eco Bike Ads has the humble bicycle at its core.

The team, which has grown from just Sam to a total of 14 riders, advertises businesses by cycling around the relevant catchment area pulling an ad trailer and handing out flyers.

Eco Bike Ads started out in 2014 with just one advertising bike in Chester but now has nine bikes and covers 48 towns and cities nationally.

An impressive 92% of clients have gone back to the company to book them again.

Sam says: “Our success has come from being something a bit different. People still find our bikes unusual and that draws people to what we are promoting. When we can combine that with a service that is reliable, cares and can deliver marketing results for our clients, it become quite remarkable.”

Born in Holland, Sam was brought up in Helsby with his English parents from the age of two.

A cycling enthusiast, he says being on two wheels eases his ongoing back pain years as well being environmentally-friendly and offering an eye-catching marketing approach.

A former pupil of Helsby High school, he played rugby for Chester for six years.

He studied adventure sports at Reaseheath College in Nantwich. Afterwards he worked as a summer canoe instructor in the south of France.

Sam plans to continue to grow the business and is currently seeking clients with a particular interest in sports and the outdoors, those interested in unusual advertising – known as guerilla marketing – and Christmas promotion.

Recent local clients have included Chester Races, The Great British Food Festival and Transport for Greater Manchester.

For details visit: www.ecobikeads.co.uk or email Sam on info@ecobikeads.co.uk.