AN EAST Lancashire manufacturing company has been shortlisted for two awards thanks to its rapid growth and support for the local community.

Thanks to the nominations, Padiham-based What More UK based in Burnley will be up for the Manufacturer of the Year (over £25 million) and Export Award categories at the 2021 Made in the North West Awards.

The home and bakeware company credits the quality of its locally made products and its connection to the local community with helping it earn these accolades.

Director Tony Grimshaw OBE said: “Made in Britain means made of top quality.

"There’s a real demand for British made products overseas and we’ve done our best to capitalise on that positivity.”

What More UK says that the shortlisting is evidence that its strategy of export products bearing a logo marking them as having been made in Britain is the right one, with the firm now exporting to 75 countries around the world.

In particular, its famous Wham brand of houseware and home storage products has proven to be particularly important to the firm's overseas drive.

Closer to home, What More has also found that lockdown has led to an increased demand for its products, with more and more people taking up baking while normal social activities were restricted.

Similarly, Mr Grimshaw also believes that his company's investment in school engagement, apprenticeship schemes, beach clean-up, and sponsorship of local sports teams demonstrate that What More takes its social responsibility to the local area extremely seriously.

This has helped mark the company out as a particularly worthy award nominee.

The current awards will mark the ninth year of the Made in the North West awards, which are organised by Insider Media Limited.

The winners will be announced at an event in the Lowery Hotel, Salford on July 28.