SOME people will go the great lengths to pursue their chosen careers - but few travel as far as Daryl Carter.

The 22 year-old who works for his parents' business Clouds, in Ashford High Street, is spending nine months in America learning about greeting cards and gift retailing.

After finishing his degree in business studies with sports sciences at Christchurch College, Canterbury, he wanted to follow a graduate programme. Using his father Philip's contacts he set up a tailor-made course.

Clouds is one of 250 Hallmark stores in the UK but the US-based company has 4,000 outlets in the USA where the company is a brand leader.

"It seemed an ideal opportunity to gain useful experience that would benefit everybody so he was put in touch with Tom Boyd owner of 10 Hallmark stores in California," said Philip.

Tom agreed a nine-month management-training programme and Daryl is now based in San Diego and making the most of the experience.