A LEADING pet food manufacturer is to undergo an expansion programme after management completed a £1million-plus buyout of the firm.

The directors of Pets Choice Ltd have completed the acquisition of the company after purchasing its entire share capital.

Pets Choice, which has a turnover of £18million, employs about 150 staff at its head office and manufacturing site in Gladstone Street, Blackburn.

Tony Raeburn, chief executive of Pets Choice, said: "This reorganisation with a small number of committed shareholders in the new Pet Food Brands group will enable Pets Choice to invest in its production capacity over the next few years and improve and extend its range of products.

"We are delighted by the support for the business shown by the new shareholders and their commitment to the business going forward."

Mr Raeburn and Ted Davies, executive vice chairman, bought the firm for an undisclosed fee, believed to be worth at least £1million.

The duo have now become directors and shareholders of the new company, called Pet Food Brands Limited (PFB).

Non management shareholders of PFB include the relatives of Pets Choice's late chairman, Charles von Westenholz, and Anthony Oppenheimer a previous investor in Pets Choice.

The new board has now promised to invest cash to expand the company. It is hoped a number of new jobs will be created but it is not known how many.

The day to day running and trading arrangements of the firm will remain unchanged following the deal.

The company will continue to trade as Pets Choice Ltd and PFB will act solely as the group holding company - a company that holds enough shares to have overall voting control.

Pets Choice is the maker of dog food and treats brands including Chub, Webbox and Original Davies.