VITAL funds have been secured to keep a disability rights employer in Blackburn to keep ticking over.

Educational furniture maker Remexx grew out of the demise of Remploy in Bank Top in 2013.

Former employees David Sussex and Peter Clark established the venture, which currently employs seven people locally with disabilities to make tables and desks for schools, colleges and academies.

Recently the company, based in Dutton Way, Shadsworth, has been working closely with accountancy firm Pierce to plot a brighter future.

This has led to new director Mark Lomas, of Elgra Furniture, in King Street, coming on board.

And with the Ainsworth Street accountants assistance, a number of grants have been cemented, to further their ambitions.

Advice has also focused on coping with year-end requirements, research and development credits, tax break breaks and cash flow projections.

Mr Sussex said: "Remploy was fully funded by the Department of Works and Pensions. But Remexx is privately funded exclusively by its directors. We still wanted to give local people with disabilities employment opportunities as we know how difficult it is for them to get mainstream employment, but it has been a challenge to get funding.

"Thankfully the team at Pierce has been able to facilitate funding and introduce us to people who have provided grants, which have been absolutely vital."

Mark Walmsley, associate director at Pierce said: “Remexx is a fantastic business that not only manufactures top quality products, but offers an invaluable service to people."