SLIME could well be one of Blackburn's most recognised exports - if the online success of a toy manufacturer is anything to go by.

More than six billion views have been racked up by Gladstone Road based Zimpli Kids as part of their gooey range's latest campaign.

And while the sticky substance is perhaps the trending toy for 2019, the outfit is set to spread the word worldwide.

Bosses at Zimpli, which started life in Great Harwood and is part of leading European brand Simba Toys, have a small army of YouTube reviewers talking up their products, which include versions which turn bathwater slimy.

Another 200,000 plus views will have been accumulated in the time it took to research and write this article.

With the support of leading channels like ToysandMe and RyansToysReview, the firm has been given a huge lift in terms of exposure.

A Zimpli spokesman said: "YouTube is by a massive margin, the most visited website by children worldwide and has played a major role in getting Zimpli Kids into the fantastic position we are in today.

"In just over two years, our most popular products, Gelli Baff and Slime Baff, have clocked up over 4.5 billion views on YouTube from independent reviewers.

"We are currently averaging over 5.1 million new views every day, that’s 61 new views every second."

The company estimates that it is working with around 1,000 YouTubers, across diverse markets ranging from the UK to North and South America, Australia, Europe and Asia, to fuels its digital drive.

And according to company representatives, their online assault has paid major dividends in terms of sales.

Their sales growth in 2016 alone is estimated at 300 per cent, with a further 70 per cent notched up in 2017 and a healthy forecast for the year ahead.

This week their sales leaders are demonstrating their range at a major industry gathering in Hong Kong, including thjier new 'Baff Bombz'. Similar marketing pushes are also set to be mounted at toy fairs in London and Nuremburg before the month is out.

Philip Schofield also featured their Slime Play products as part of his How To Spend It Well A Christmas show last month.

Earlier last year Zimpli brought the bulk of its manufacturing in-house, and say only their Slime Blaster and inflatable products are made in China. The company is also making a play for eco-friendly parents,with a pledge to only employ recycled materials in its packaging and display units.