A COMPANY which makes small vehicles that can be adapted to carry implements such as snow ploughs, grass mowers and chemical sprayers has moved, thanks to a council grant.

Multihog, which employs 13 people, was given £9,000 through the Assistance to Industry programme to help develop its new premises off Charles Street, near Darwen town centre.

The firm, which had previously used office space above The Village Store in Hoddlesden and rented units out of the area, needed cash to buy a workshop ramp, racking and a plant trailer.

It means the company, founded in 2010 by Nick Carter and Nick Leadley, can run its entire operation from its new base.

The expansion also allowed Multihog to take on two new staff.

The new premises now benefit from a showroom, offices and meeting centre in addition to an engineering workshop and storage unit.

The Multihog base unit has the appearance of a road legal compact tractor which is articulated and hydraulically operated, accepting a diverse range of different attachments to the front and rear allowing for a variety of tasks.

Last year, a Multihog vehicle was used to clear snow from Bayne Street in Hoddlesden to make it safe for children to get to St Paul’s Primary School.

Assistance to Industry grants are delivered on behalf of the Blackburn with Darwen Council by Regenerate Pennine Lancashire and are awarded to companies to help them expand and are related in part to the number of jobs being created.

Director Nick Leadley, who lives in Hoddlesden, said: “Having experienced year on year growth since we started the business almost four years ago, we knew this time would come.

“And we are grateful for the step up provided by the council and Regenerate to continue on this road while at the same time remaining local.”

Coun Maureen Bateson, executive member for regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “This is exactly what the Assistance for Industry grant is for.

“We are delighted that we have been able to offer Multihog help with their move to bigger premises and for job creation.

“We are also pleased they have stayed in the borough.”