Oil strike within couple's Reach

The couple pinpointed oil in the outer Moray Firth

A dream of striking oil has come true for an Aberdeenshire husband and wife team inspired by a pop group.

Miles Newman and Isabel Davies, from Aboyne, named their own company Reach after hearing their children listen to S Club 7's song Reach for the Stars.

They have now teamed up with a multi-national to develop their oil find about 60 miles off Aberdeen.

Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling said it demonstrated the pioneering spirit of the industry.

After several years of endeavour, geologist Mr Newman and his geophysicist wife pinpointed oil in the outer Moray Firth.

The couple's small exploration company is now working in partnership with much larger Petro-Canada, and could earn millions of pounds.

The discovery is significant but just how significant will only be known when further wells are drilled next year.

S Club 7's Reach for the Stars proved an inspiration

Ms Davies said: "It was a gamble, a bit of a risk - but we are risk takers."

The husband and wife team were congratulated in Aberdeen by Mr Darling while meeting industry representatives.

Mr Darling told BBC Scotland: "It's quite extraordinary that a small company run by a couple has struck oil.

"It's tremendous. It shows if you have the imagination and skills you can find oil.

"Alongside the investments of the giants, small companies are innovating, linking up and developing new finds. We back that with the new licence available for small companies with big ideas."

He said the North Sea was "absolutely critical" to delivering the energy needs of the country.