A WEALTHY businessman and former agent of Celtic footballer Scott Brown is suing his former partner for £1million claiming he contributed to her starting a successful chain of nurseries.

Francis Donaldson, 57, told Glasgow Sheriff Court that Jane Clarke had "a big idea with no money in her pocket" when they started a business in 2001.

He alleges that the business Hyde 'n' Seek - which he believes to be worth around £1million - became successful because of his money and work carried out to get it off the ground and the success of the first nursery in Springburn, Glasgow allowed the business to grow and expand.

Donaldson claims he devoted a "great part of his working time to running said business" and "continued to provide all of the capital support to the defender's business enabling it to expand".

Miss Clarke disputes this and claims that the business was started by her and her mother using money from grants and later enhanced by her sister - who is a director of the company.

He has taken her to a civil court to claim a total of £1million, which includes money for his contribution to the business.

Miss Clarke has lodged a counter claim for a total of £475,000.

The court heard he and Miss Clarke became a couple in the early 1990's and they have a son together.

Donaldson - who was already a dad of two when he met Miss Clarke - said in evidence today that they both decided to start a business.

Miss Clarke was social worker with a university degree and they decided to open a nursery.

Donaldson said he earned big agents fees in 2007 when he brokered deals for footballers Scott Brown and Allan McGregor.

He told the court: "Jane had no money so I had to pay for the renovation and the materials and that kind of stuff."

The court heard that the nursery was a success and they soon expanded to seven in total, some owned and some leased.

Donaldson said that since splitting up in the summer of 2013, Miss Clarke has acknowledged "100 times" that she owes him money from the business.

Under cross-examination it was put to him by advocate Jonathan Brown, representing Miss Clarke, that there was a discussion where his client and her mother and were going to start a nursery.

Donaldson replied: "No" and said it was both of their ideas to start it.

The hearing before sheriff Anthony Deutsch will continue later this year.