ONE of the few remaining slipper factories in Rossendale is moving -- into premises which belonged to one of the first large footwear manufacturers.

Rosebank Slippers, currently at Lower Fold, Rawtenstall, is investing a five-figure sum to relocate to Tricketts at Gaghills, Waterfoot.

The company currently employs 30 and can turn out 15,000 slippers on a busy week. More staff will be taken on with the move in June.

Tricketts was founded by Henry Whitaker Trickett in the 1880s and manufactured until 1963. In the 1970s the premises was taken over by Lambert Howarth and it is now owned by Waterfoot-based developers B & E Boys.

Manager Stephen Owen said: "This is a worthwhile investment to safeguard the future of our company.

"There are only about five or six traditional slipper manufacturers left in the Valley but there is still a call for locally made goods.

"Rosebank was started by my mum and dad Joyce and Fred Owen about 28 years ago and I have been involved for 20 years and manage it for my dad. The lease has run out on our current premises and Hurstwood Developments are looking to redevelop this area so we had to look for new premises. The factory we are moving into used to be Tricketts which was one of the first slipper factories in the Valley, if not the country." Stephen said: We have many guidelines to follow, such as the minimum wage."