A BLACKBURN tissue manufacturer has invested £4million in new manufacturing line for its satellite site creating more than 20 jobs.

Accrol Group Holdings plc, whose headquarters and main factory are in Roman Road, opened the new facility in Leyland in April.

The new machine is part of an expansion plan since the firm was listed on the AIM stock market.

The new machine features the latest technology and will be used in the conversion of a variety of tissue grades, and will have a capacity of 15,000 tonnes or around £20million in annual sales.

Installation and commissioning will be early next year and will crate between 20 and 25 jobs.

Miranda Barker, chief executive of the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce said: “This is wonderful news.

“Paper tissue manufacture is a key industry in East Lancashire.

“IT’s good to see this Blackburn-based company investing to consolidate and secure its position in this important market.”

Accrol’s 168,000 square foot factory in Leyland has two converting lines installed and operational, with space for a further four production lines. It currently employs 80 staff.

Steve Crossley, Accrol’s chief executive said:“The new converting line will add further production capacity at our Leyland facility and will convert a wide range of product types, particularly at the premium end of the market.

“This investment is in line with our growth plans for the business and will ensure that we have the capacity to service, and benefit from, increasing demand from both major multiples and the discount sector.”

In May Accrol announced 65 jobs as it opened a new warehouse in Pimbo near Skelmersdale.

It means the six smaller warehouses it has in the Blackburn and Accrington areas will be consolidated into one with staff redeployed to other roles. The new jobs at Leyland are understood to be on top of those announced last month.

The company now has half the discount market for its products after securing a contract with Lidl at the end of last year.

Accrol manufactures toilet rolls, kitchen rolls and facial tissues as well as other tissue products.

The Company operates out of c. 900,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing, storage and distribution facilities across Lancashire.