A SEATING and furniture manufacturer whose clients include the Odeon in London's Leicester Square has completed an expansion costing nearly £1million.

Now a number of new jobs are to be created after Hille Seating moved from its ageing premises in Two Gates Mill, Anyon Street, Darwen, to a custom-built base on the Rossendale Road Industrial Estate, Burnley.

The move will allow the firm, which has a turnover of £5million, to increase its production, meaning more workers will have to be employed.

The new 30,000 sq ft headquarters cost Hille £900,000.

As well as increasing production the move will also save the firm cash by saving on energy efficiencies.

John O'Rourke, commercial director at Hille Seating, said: "The old premises had become unsuitable for our production operations and by moving we now have the capability to take the business forward.

"We have been searching for suitable premises for over two years and are delighted to have finally moved into this facility." Hille Seating was established more than 70 years ago and specialises in supplying seats and furniture such as tables, to schools, colleges and universities across the UK.

It supplies seating for cinemas and theatres as well as public areas such including hospitals, doctors surgeries, airport lounges and on the London Underground. Currently the company employs 50 staff.

It is now known exactly how many new jobs will be created.

The Royal Bank of Scotland, in Burnley, helped finance the move.