A BRIDGWATER company was in the TV spotlight this time five years ago - with an appearance on Sir Alan Sugar's The Apprentice programme.

It was lights, camera and action for clothing wholesaler Something Different, who hit screens across the country when providing stand-out animal face T-shirts to candidates, after the products were chosen to appear in the BBC One programme.

Company director, Shaun Free, also made an appearance in the episode, as team Versatile chose the T-shirts to sell at the London Pet Show.

With leadership from David Stevenson, 25, the team went on to secure a victory.

Director Shaun was delighted with the win, and said after the show he was inundated with people wanting a novelty shirt, which are printed with large faces of a guinea-pig, bunny or hamster.

Shaun said: “We were approached by researchers for the show to see if we wanted our products involved.

“We said we’d love to do it, although we were told that because so many companies had been contacted we might not get selected.

“We had to supply the stock ourselves and we were successful, so Sarah, from customer sales, and I spent a day filming in London.”

“The phones, e-mails and social media have been going red hot since we

appeared on The Apprentice,” he added.

“It was an amazing experience and we’ve really got a taste for it now.

“I am delighted that the team who picked our animal t-shirts won the task.

“I thought they were very clever and David was great – he really warmed to every product.

“We only saw the episode for the first time when it was shown on TV so it was great to see our products.

“David was a really interesting character and was enthralled with the T-shirts – he should win.

“There’s something about him.”

As well as showing their products, Sarah and Shaun were asked by Sir Alan Sugar’s aides, Karen Brady and Claude Littner, for advice on the team’s work.

“They’re very powerful characters,” said Shaun.

“Karen spoke to us afterwards about how the candidates were and asked some very interesting questions. Lord Sugar doesn’t appear much at all.

"The whole experience was wonderful and they looked after us and made us feel great.

“We’re very proud of our T-shirts.”

To shirts are still available - and more animal prints on sale - via findsomethingdifferent.com.