For sale, one private detective business, good prospects, no experience required.o The Oxford franchise of the Nationwide Investigations Group has been put on the market presenting an ideal opportunity for budding Philip Marlowes and Sam Spades to make their mark.

The current franchise holder, Matt Thomas, has been running the business for four years and is selling up to pursue other business opportunities.

Mr Thomas, 32, said: "When I started the business it was a boyhood dream come true.

"But I had no experience and that is where Nationwide helped out with constant back-up."

Mr Thomas, who is based in Botley, said confidence, commitment, patience and determination are the main qualities required for the job, which can be extremely varied.

He added: "It is not an everyday industry but it is one of the most exciting things I have ever done. I have travelled all over the country and to places like Spain, Italy, Canada and Thailand."

Much of the work involves working for corporate clients investigating fraud and classic private eye jobs tracking down people suspected by their partners of having affairs.

A popular service has also been the polygraph or lie detector test.

The franchise with full support from the Nationwide Investigations Group offers exclusive coverage of the Oxfordshire area and full training will be given Those interested will need to invest £40,000 + VAT into the business for a five-year contract.

As for Mr Thomas, he is concentrating on other business ventures including an Internet-based property agency.

But he won't be turning his back on private detective work for good and is looking to launch his own agency, possibly based in Switzerland. He said: "I would never leave the business it's in the blood."

Anyone interested in buying the franchise should contact Mr Thomas on 01865 389325 or e-mail info@nigoxford.co.uk