A LOCAL company has bucked the downward trend in the fortunes of manufacturing industry by announcing plans to expand.

Nigel Platt, Director of retail furniture makers MA Platt Ltd., has applied to Hyndburn Council for permission to expand the premises at St James Street, Accrington, by 105sq m to accommodate extra workers he has recently taken on.

The good news follows the announcement of 14 job losses at Clarient chemicals plant in Oswaldtwistle and the Gaskell Textiles, Clayton Park, Clayton-le Moors, where up to 20 jobs could go.

The company has managed to avoid the nation-wide recession in manufacturing and has gone from strength to strength, doubling the number of personnel from 10 to 20 in five years, three of whom were appointed in the past three months.

Mr Platt said: "The extra space will consolidate our position and it can get rather cramped here at the moment.

"The reason we have done pretty well is because of the very loyal and a highly skilled workforce.

"It can take up to three years to learn the skills needed to work here."

He added: "But as far as the recession in manufacturing is concerned, we don't know if it will hit us.

"If we are not affected, I shall be very pleased indeed."