AN industrial cleaning company which won Duncan Bannatyne’s backing on TV’s Dragons’ Den has expanded its operations.

UK Commercial Cleaning, set up five years ago by Tony Earnshaw in his home town of Washington, Wearside, has opened a depot in Leeds.

Mr Earnshaw established the business with £300 when he was 19, boosting the earnings from a window cleaning round to £6,000 a month then expanding to become a full commercial cleaning company.

The company has recruited John Kerslake to run the Yorkshire division and has already agreed contracts with Burger King and Ladbrokes.

Mr Earnshaw said: “John’s experience in the industry will be a great advantage in driving the business forward.

“Our Leeds depot is a key part of developing our business plan to be a fully national company.

This is a big step towards what we want to achieve.”

Mr Earnshaw, and sales manager Stephen Pearson pitched their business to the BBC2 Dragons, asking for £100,000 in return for a 20 per cent stake in the business.

Mr Bannatyne finally secured a 35 per cent stake and a role as a company director.