A Worcester business has seen a boost in sales following riots across England.

Magic Whiteboard, the company which shot to fame after its owners appeared on TV show Dragon’s Den, has reported a dramatic rise in demand for its blackout blinds.

The product is usually popular with parents for blocking out the early morning light from their children’s rooms but this week orders have been coming in from businesses based in London.

Managing director Neil Westwood said he believed shopkeepers were trying to take steps to prevent rioters from seeing into their shops.

He said: “It started on Tuesday. We normally get about 50 rolls a day and it’s gone up to 350 over two days. It’s quite a big jump really.

“It’s got to be down to the rioting, it can’t be anything else. It’s normally popular with mums and dads with young children to stop them waking up at 5am but these orders seen to be for companies in London.”

Mr Westwood said he had been shocked at the rioting which broke out in London, Manchester and Birmingham this week.

Magic Blackout blind is a temporary window covering which is stuck on by static and peels off, rolls up and can be reused.

Magic Whiteboard is based in Blackpole West Industrial Estate, and has gone from strength to strength since Mr Westwood and wife Laura persuaded Dragons Deborah Meaden and Theo Paphitis to invest £100,000 in their business.