AN East Lancashire firm which has provided millions of children with school books has been shortlisted for an award.

Blackburn based Educational Printing Services Limited (EPSL) has reached the final four in the race for the Hive Made in Blackburn and Darwen Award.

The company, founded in 1975, has seen major investment over the past year and bosses hope for further growth in the years ahead.

David Pickering, managing director, said: “It’s an honour to be recognised amongst Blackburn’s elite businesses at this year’s Hive Blackburn and Darwen Business Awards."

To manage the significant increase in customer order size and quantities, five new members of staff have recently been welcomed to the company.

Charity has also remained high on the agenda for EPSL.

Partnerships were made with local and national charities resulting in the print of 6,000 leaflets being donated to Lancashire Mind for its Mental Elf fun run and 10,000 exercise books sent to Call to Duty to support Greece’s refugee crisis.

Mr Pickering is the second generation of Managing Director of EPSL after his father Fred Pickering founded the business.

He said: "My father launched this business in Blackburn in 1975 and I am extremely proud to continue manufacturing in the town."