THE company that started out distributing adult comic Viz is planning to expand after attracting new investment.

Viz Comic Distributions, in Byker, Newcastle, has secured "six-figure investment" from Evolve Finance, a division of North-East fund management company NEL.

The group started out distributing the comic that brought such memorable characters as Sid the Sexist, Billy the Fish, Biffa Bacon and the Fat Slags to public attention.

As part of Brown Dog Limited, it also supplies a variety of giftware and novelty goods to outlets that include Clinton Cards, HMV, Virgin and MVC.

It will use the investment to expand the business and increase revenue from £3m to £5m by 2007.

Managing director Paul Richardson, who led a management buyout of the company 18 months ago, said: "The investment we have secured from Evolve will help us expand into new areas, such as having a stronger online presence and selling more of our products to a greater number of smaller local outlets.

"We are confident that we will be able to grow our annual turnover from £3m to over £5m before the end of next year."

Joanne Pratt, loan executive at Evolve, said: "Paul and his team presented us with a very sound business plan and many exciting ideas for the company's future, all of which combined to create a strong investment opportunity for us.

"We are always keen to work with well-managed companies like Brown Dog, which can demonstrate excellent growth prospects and a single-minded determination to succeed."