A GLOBAL furniture giant headquartered in Altham has revealed plans to expand.

Around 50 jobs will be created in Huncoat if Senator International's project is given the green light by the council.

Extra warehousing space next to its chair factory on the town's industrial estate, alongside the creation of a lorry park and a garage to service the firm's fleet, would enable to the facility to 'effectively operate as the export hub for the business'.

In documents lodged with the council, JWPC Chartered Town Planners said the factory was built four years ago but is no longer big enough to meet an increase in demand for the £100m-a-year company's products.

It said: "Over the past two years, the Huncoat seating factory, which lies immediately to the south of the application site, has grown by 27 per cent.

"As a result, it now employs 46 more people than three years ago and, with growth set to continue, a further 50 jobs may be created there."

Senator has recently opened new facilities in Holland and the United States.

The Huncoat hub will despatch goods to all overseas customers, while its main 216,650 sq ft headquarters will remain at Altham, which is where the company makes its desks.

The Huncoat warehouse will be extended by just over 3,000m2, while the garage, used to service the firm's own fleet, would contain five inspection pits, a body shop, a staff room, and storage.

A lorry park with room for up to 45 trucks would also be developed on derelict land that used to be part of the Buchan concrete works, documents also revealed.

JWPC said: "The provision will ... allow for the more efficient movement of vehicle and stock between [Huncoat and Altham].

"Lorries can be parked up ready for loading at Huncoat rather than parked at Altham and being driven up to Huncoat prior to loading.

"Similarly, a dedicated garage facility will negate the need for lorries and cars to be driven to Altham for works."

Deputy leader of Hyndburn Council, Paul Cox, welcomed the company's plans.

He said: "Obviously it depends on what is said at planning, but we welcome any business choosing to expand in Hyndburn.

"Senator is doing well and they like to put something back into the community.

"They get quite involved and the stuff they make requires quite advanced processes, and they choose to do it in Hyndburn, which is fantastic."