A NEW £1 million loom is to be installed at one of Kidderminster's leading carpet firms following increased demand for one of its products.

The introduction of the additional machinery has come as good news for the staff at Brintons, who will use it to help them meet the demand for the company's Wilton carpet.

The news came in the same week Victoria Carpets reported a six per cent increase in sales despite a slump in profits caused by soaring energy prices and a retail slowdown.

Brintons finance director, Peter Johansen, said he was aware there had been a slump in the consumer market elsewhere but explained business at Brintons was thriving and the company was selling more of its products than a year ago.

Mr Johansen said: "We are selling more carpets than we did last year. One of our best selling carpets is the Bell Twist, which is 40 years old.

"We currently have two Wilton looms and this will make it three, raising production by a further 50 per cent. This is fantastic news for the people of Kidderminster."

The arrival of the new loom could create jobs, but not hundreds, according to Mr Johansen.