A LONG-ESTABLISHED East Lancashire bed manufacturer has hailed a record year after chalking up almost £140million in sales.

The Silentnight Group in Barnoldswick saw its sales across its Silentnight, Sealy and Rest Assured brands increase by 10 per cent compared to 2015.

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The business, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, saw operating profit growth of more than £8million, an increase of 26 per cent on the previous year.

Director Steve Freeman said: “The major driver behind our sales and profit achievement is our business vision which we developed and launched across our company – to be the home of the most trusted sleep brands.

“This vision has helped us to engage and energise every colleague across all departments with total focus on market leading quality – first class customer service and continuous innovation.

“The benefits of which are now being enjoyed by our trading partners and their customers as sales across all our brands continue to strengthen further into 2016.

“Our recent Which? Best Buy awards and the growing number of five star consumer reviews across our brands are recognition of all the hard work every team member puts in.”

More than 140 new jobs and 500 were safeguarded when the company agreed a £1million investment package with Lancashire County Council when it relocated it’s head offices to Pendle in 2012.

The investment from the council, which was used to expand its manufacturing facilities, played a big part in the decision to remain in Lancashire, the company has said.

Silentnight’s commitment to Pendle came after it decided to close down its Batley plant in Yorkshire in the same year as part of cost-cutting measures.

Cllr Jenny Purcell, who represents Craven on Pendle Council, said: “It’s great to see business thriving in the area.

“It’s fantastic to see that a business that has been in the town for several years is doing amazingly well.

“That company - as well as selling to homes nationwide - keeps a lot of people in the area employed and I do hope we can continue to see this happening in the future.”

“Everyone in the factory and offices should be proud of their hard work.”