A SPORTS nutrition company is targeting ‘double-digit’ growth in 2010 after signing up one of the world’s most respected athletes.

Bosses at Science in Sport earlier this month revealed Olympic cycling hero Sir Chris Hoy would become an official ambassador after 10 years of using their products.

And now the ambitious firm, based in Brockhall Village in the Ribble Valley and Altham, plans relentless growth in the run up to the 2012 Olympics in London.

As well as triple Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris, Science in Sport is also supplying Team GB members of the rowing, canoeing and speed skating teams with its range of energy drinks, gels and bars.

Director Tim Lawson said: “Sir Chris has used our products for years but we have been working more closely with him since the last Olympics because we wanted a more formal agreement to bring the brand forward.

“His profile has risen in the past 18 months or so and we are benefiting from that. It is a nice story to tell and we can claim a part of it. We have been part of his training to get him to where he is today.”

Mr Lawson said he expected Science in Sport, which employs 40 and turns over around £5million a year, to continue to expand as it strengthens its foothold in supplying cyclists with products.

The firm already supplies 2008 and 2009 Tour de France champion Alberto Contador and is expanding into non-cycling Olympic sports ahead of the summer games.

But Mr Lawson ruled out more high-profile tie-ups following the deal with Sir Chris.

He added: “We have grown from nothing since we were founded 17 years ago and now we are disappointed if we don’t have at least double-digit growth.

“However, we are not in the game of paying high-profile athletes to use our products. We are interested in something that is real.”