PRODUCTS from an East Lancashire firm have been described as ‘fabulous’ after they were used in Russell Crowe’s new Robin Hood movie.

The handiwork of Waterfoot’s Healing Tree will be seen on the big screen after its animal grooming products were used on the horses in the new blockbuster.

Bosses at Healing Tree, which specialises in natural oils for horses, are celebrating their involvement as the movie premieres across the globe this month.

Kath Vines, managing director, said: “The horses were all bathed and cleaned using our natural Healing Tree products before the filming began.

“We were really pleased to receive the photos of Russell Crowe riding Rusty the grey horse and with the owners who thanked us for our products.

“We were told the horses all looked fabulous.”

Before launching the business Kath won many prestigious equestrian titles including at the UK Horse of the Year Show in 2004 and 2008.

Kath ventured into her line of work after struggling to find grooming products for her own horse Sparky and soon heard that Healing Tree bosses in the USA were keen to recruit an experienced British equestrian to launch a UK branch The Rossendale woman is now a major part of the firm’s European distribution.

Members of Rossendale Council are hoping Valley entrepreneurs will follow in her footsteps.

Regeneration portfolio holder, Coun William Challinor, said: “It is fantastic that we have such innovative businesses in Rossendale who are able to compete for prestigious international contracts.

“The film industry brings millions of pounds each year to the Lancashire economy.

"This is just one small example of the spin-off business that is gene-rated.”