CLITHEROE-BASED Ultraframe is facing up to life without its founder John Lancaster, who is retiring this week from the world-beating company he created.

But according to chief executive David Moore, his legacy will live long into the future as the company plans to build on his achievements.

In the New Year, Mr Lancaster will be concentrating on the multi-million-pound charitable foundation he created when Ultraframe joined the Stock Exchange in 1997.

For the management team he leaves, the mission is simple: to consolidate the company's position as the world's leading manufacturer of conservatory systems.

"He leaves behind a legacy that is unique," said Mr Moore. "There is a tremendous culture here at Ultraframe that involves all of the work-force. The management team he put together shares the same philosophy as John - to drive the business forward by investing in the future."

Mr Moore, who joined Ultraframe 10 years ago as company accountant, has been chief executive for the past three years, which have seen mixed fortunes for the Ribble Valley's largest employer.

Earlier this month, Ultraframe cemented its comeback with the announcement of a 10 per cent increase in pre-tax profit to £27 million for the past year.

Mr Moore described John Lancaster's phased departure - he is staying on the board as a non-executive director and remains a major shareholder - as a textbook way for an entrepreneur to step down.

"No one can underestimate John's achievements," he said. "He is widely acknowledged as the man who created the conservatory industry in the UK.

"He spotted the opportunity and invested everything he had to realise his dream. At the same time, he realised he needed the right people around him to help him achieve it.

"He knew there was going to come a time in his professional and personal life that he could no longer control everything and he built a management team capable of taking over."

Mr Lancaster has been gradually moving away from a day-to-day involvement with the business, but will still contribute to strategic issues as a director.

"There is no way I can emulate John," said Mr Moore. "I only hope I can live up to his expectations."