A DARWEN-BASED window firm has invested £500,000 to start manufacturing a new type of window.

Octaveward Ltd says the move, to make fibreglass windows, will also create new jobs.

Fibreglass windows are used in countries like Canada and Scandinavia, where the material is said to insulate homes better than regular UPVC windows.

Trevor Williams, sales and marketing director for Octaveward, said: "Our commitment to further expansion in both jobs and new products is paramount to our overall ambition, to be the largest independent manufacturer of low maintenance building products in the UK..

"These windows provide a solution for all building applications where low-maintenance is a key requirement, coupled with the need for a sustainable material."