A SHOEMAKING entrepreneur is aiming to restore East Lancashire's reputation as a manufacturing hotbed.

In years gone by the area, and especially the Rossendale valley, was renowned for footwear production.

And Whalley-based Marco Varghetti, the driving force behind LANX, is determined that those times can be revived.

As he launches the company's autumn winter men's and women's ranges, he says he is on a mission to breathe new life into the region's industry.

Marco said: "Since our launch we have invested heavily in shoe manufacturing, our mission is to increase Lancashire production further and create new jobs.

"The support we are receiving from people in Lancashire and around the north-west has been very pleasing and given us the confidence to invest further in LANX’s infrastructure, jobs and manufacturing."

Production has already been increased at the firm's partner manufacturer in Rossendale and he hopes this is just the beginning.

Arriving on the scene in 2018, after Marco undertook a worldwide fact-finding mission, seeking inspiration for his fledgling lines, LANX has forged partnerships with a number of leading lights.

Sale Sharks and Lancashire County Cricket Club are among the high-profile names sporting their footwear.

Later this year the firm, which has four full-time staff members and a number of part-time employees for promotional activities, will be moving to a new warehouse, office and retail premises in Whalley.