A FORMER Bolton and Bury Company of the Year has invested £100,000 in a new venture.

BID Group on the Wingates Industrial Park (formerly Bolton Industrial Doors Ltd in Lostock Lane, Lostock) has launched a fifth trading division -- Imperial Automatic Gates in Dodd Lane.

It sells automated gates to people who require security and privacy throughout the Lancashire and Cheshire area.

Prices range from £5,500 to £7,000 for gates which are mainly key-fob operated.

BID is a dealer for FAAC -- an Italian company.

The BID Group, which has 88 employees, has created four extra jobs to run the new division.

Investment includes a dedicated showroom which was opened at a launch evening for guests who included local business people and potential customers.

The opening was performed by the first customer, Helen Livesey.

Managing director John Thompson founded the business in 1985 as a one-man, one-van concern operating from his home in Bromley Cross.