A LEADER in digital printing on textiles has been awarded the rights to use iconic Andy Warhol masterpieces in the creation of a range of home furnishings.

The partnership with the Andy Warhol Foundation allows Bury-based Digetex to source a rich archive of the artist's work, including images of Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, James Dean, Jackie Kennedy Onassis and the famed Campbell's soup can.

Now, the artist's work will be used to adorn a range of Digetex home furnishing products including furnishing fabrics, roller blinds, Roman blinds and Japanese screens.

This three-year licensing agreement with the Foundation is a major coup for Digetex.

Roger Willis, managing director of Elbut Lane-based Digetex, said: "We now have the potential to produce an unlimited number of bespoke fabric designs based upon Andy Warhol imagery."

Debbie McKeegan, the company's design director with more than 20 years of experience in the textile industry, has already used the Warhol images of Marilyn Monroe as a strong theme within her own home.

She said: "Design printing has opened up the world of fabric design, making it much more accessible and affordable to everyone.

"Digitally, a palette of 12 colours can now become 12 million and this offers limitless opportunities for new and exciting designs. Warhol's Marilyn images are certain to be a big hit with designers and their clients."

Recently, Digetex has invested more than £120,000 in state-of-the-art digital printing technology.

Designs are custom printed on to a range of different fabrics including cotton, velvet, linen, satin, canvas, silks, crepe, voile and panama.

Digetex interior design and home furnishing products are available at John Lewis stores throughout the UK.