A TOILET tissue maker in East Lancashire has returned to profit after a successful turnaround programme.

Bosses at Blackburn-based Accrol are celebrating converting a £1.1milllion loss to a £3.2 annual gain, according to their new half-yearly trading figures.

Plans are now in place for additional automation at their sites, according to management, to expand the business still further.

A new management team was drafted in at the firm in February 2018 and the board has also had to contend with a Financial Conduct Authority inquiry.

Dan Wright, the company's chairman, said: "Accrol has been completely transformed by the new leadership team and is now a very different organisation.

"I am proud to say that our talented and experienced people have proved that it is possible to make good returns from tissue conversion, which has historically been viewed as a low margin sector."

He said that their future was "promising", with the focus now on their medium to long-term prospects.

Net debt has also reduced from £34million to £25million year-on-year, the report says.

Gareth Jenkins, chief executive officer, added: "We are assembling an exceptional team of highly experienced industry professionals, focused on growth and capable of delivering substantial commercial and operational improvements."

He has told investors that the improved performance levels had seen their customer base broadened, with consumer revenue growth of around 20 per cent.

It is estimated the personal hygiene market across the UK is worth around £1billion.