A new dog food company that launched during lockdown is already planning its expansion by recruiting new workers.
Barnsley's Walker & Drake was launched in June by business partners Richard Grant, David Taylor and Tim Matthews.
The trio opened the businesses after spotting a gap in the market to provide a high quality kibble with minimum processing.
The company, which sells its dog food online, is now gearing up to expand, with plans to recruit three new field sales executives.
The field sales team will be used to help Walker & Drake grow by increasing its number of stockists, including pet shows, garden centres, groomers and vets.
Commenting on the launch of the business, Mr Grant said: “We love our dogs and we have invested vast amounts of time and research about what’s good for them, but also convenient for us as their owners.
"As a nation of dog lovers, we’re becoming increasingly more aware of the manufacturing process involved in their food. Cold pressed dog food has minimal processing to lock in nutrients and make it tasty and healthy for the dog, and easy to serve up for the owner.
“It’s also increasingly important to customers that they support a British company, and some have told us that they’ve only just realised their existing dog food is made abroad.
"Lockdown has created a more local mindset and people have had more time to research the products they use and so they’re actively looking for food that’s made in the UK.
"This combined with the growth in dog ownership has meant a strong start to the business.”
Before starting Walker & Drake Mr Grant and Mr Taylor owned a display graphics company which they sold. Mr Matthews was a sales director at one of the largest bus manufacturing companies in the UK.
He added: “We’re currently developing another flavour of the cold pressed food and we are working on a range innovative dog treats too.
"We have also already had serious interest from overseas and are currently working with the Department of International Trade to develop this.”
