An enterprising businessman who started selling bagels to help pay his way through college is now selling more than a thousand every day.

Julian Engelsman launched his first bakery and caf at the Sussex Innovation Centre, on Sussex University's Falmer campus, nine years ago.

He has since opened another two outlets in the region, a small, lively takeaway in Brighton and a large restaurant in Hove which offers a more extensive menu. Both operate under the Bagelman banner and employ 24 people.

Julian is now looking for new premises along the south coast to expand his business.

He trained as a sculptor at Brighton University before turning his hand to business.

Having grown up in a family where bagels were regularly on the menu, he yearned for them when he was a student and he started baking his own.

They proved so popular with his college friends he started supplementing his student grant by selling them from a box strapped over his shoulders to local office workers.

Realising it was probably a good way to make a living, he went into business.

He now sells more than 1,000 bagels a day, all baked on his premises.

Julian said bagel trends were fascinating.

He said: "The past few years have been a whirlwind.

"The business has just grown, largely helped by the success of our outside catering service and our fast-track telephone service, which is very popular with local business people who are short on time. Unlike others in the market who have come and gone, we've stuck to our original principles, which mean everything we sell is freshly baked by us, using traditional methods and recipes.

"In fact, we're the only authentic bagel bakery in the whole of Sussex and Kent."

Richard Simmons, from the Brighton office of UHY Hacker Young, is Julian's accountant and business adviser and is helping him find new premises.

He said: "Bagelman is a real recipe for success. Julian is a unique character because he is both creative and cautious, which is an unusual and ideal combination for someone in business.

"Figures and statistics aside, the business has been a success because of Julian's passion for good food.

"We're confident Bagelman will continue to succeed and are now looking for other suitable sites in Sussex.