A VERWOOD electronics company is celebrating 25 years in business.

Spiers Electronics was set up by Nic Spiers, who took the big step of leaving his sales job and establishing his company in April 1989.

To begin with the work involved building, repairing and designing electronics systems. Much of this work was for stage and theatre; repairing lighting control systems, 2500W dimmer units and rebuilding broken spotlights and lamps.

The work then developed to include special effect lights for Oakwood theme park in Wales and Linnanmaki Amusement Park, Finland, followed by the Thinktank science museum in Birmingham, where his company designed special circuits for interactive exhibits.

Mr Spiers said: "Shortly after re-locating to Dorset, we became involved in the diagnosis and repair of office telephone systems at circuit board level.

“This also included supplying, installing and programming small to medium house and office telephone systems. We still support many Bournemouth Hotels and offices with London, BT, Panasonic and GDK/Goldstar systems.

"From the early 1990s we were asked to repair BBC, Spectrum, and Amstrad Word Processors, then IBM compatible computers (those things we all use day to day now). This was long before most people even had a computer at home let alone dreamt of the internet. We also worked with early DOS (disk-operated systems).

“Before DOS, programs were stored on built-in memory then tape recorders and personal computers as we know them were non-existent.

“We now build and sell desk-top computers and sell and set-up laptops. We repair, re-program and service most other computers, including laptops, printers and monitors. As devices develop we have also moved into Tablets, Apple Macs and even iPhones, iPods & iPads.”

Mr Spiers is reassuring Windows XP users that all is likely to be ok after Microsoft withdraws its support.

He said: “The main issues will be when purchasing new printers etc, that may not have XP drivers, or internet security programs. Only time will tell.”

He added: “I've even fixed a few leaking pipes to the surprise and delight of my customers. I just love making things work properly!"

Spiers Electronics actively support the Youth Cancer Trust in Bournemouth and sponsor Verwood Concert Brass.

The company also provided the exterior lighting for The Salisbury Arts Centre in 2009.

Mr Spiers also runs the Explorer Scout Unit at 1st Lilliput Sea Scouts in Poole.