A TOILET paper firm in Darwen is set to expand after it secured a £250,000 loan.

Family-owned Punjab Paper Converters got the loan from The North West Fund for Loans Plus.

The firm in Lower Eccleshill Road supplies retailers and cash-and-carry outlets with a wide range of tissue products and manufactures an own-label range as well as products under contract for brands such as Pure Soft and White Heaven.

The company, which moved to its new 30,000sq ft manufacturing facility last year, has enjoyed significant growth since managing director Mohammad Arshad set it up 20 years ago.

Following the move, Punjab invested heavily in the new plant and technology to increase its production capacity and expand its product range.

Having identified a number of potential new markets, Punjab is using the loan to strengthen its sales and marketing operations.

The new investment also allowed the firm, which employs 27 people, to take on new staff.

Mr Arshad said: “We have built up a loyal customer base over the past two decades because we produce high-quality products at competitive prices.

“We offer a wide range of tissue products which allows customers to purchase all their requirements from one supplier.

Punjab Paper Converters is a family concern and my children are committed to its long-term success. They have grown up with the business and now help to run it. The loan has provided us with the backing we need to continue expanding.”

The £45m North West Fund for Loans Plus is managed by FW Capital and can lend between £50,000 and £750,000 to North West businesses.

It is part of the wider North West Fund, financed jointly by the European Regional Development Fund and the European Investment Bank.