A SPECIALIST health food company that chose the North-East for its UK headquarters has doubled the size of its operation and is creating more jobs.

Thanks to a grant from City of Sunderland Council, FM Foods, which specialises in the health food sector, has doubled its factory floor space to 1,300sq ft at Southwick Industrial Estate. The company is planning to increase its workforce of 34 by a third.

Since its launch in 1994, FM Foods has seen steady growth, and in December last year, won the North-East regional award for the Inner City 100 Index.

The index recognises the achievements of fast-growing small businesses. FM Foods won the award for its turnover growth rate of 1,375 per cent during the past five years.

FM Foods works with partners in Uganda, Pakistan and Burkina Faso, importing and packaging fair trade dried fruit. The company also produces snack bars for the sports, dietary and organic markets.

In addition, FM Foods offers bespoke product development including, packaging, supply, manufacture and distribution.

Managing director, Peter Fawcett said: "FM Foods continues to go from strength to strength. Our current turn-over is £1.08m and our expansion programme has already increased our workforce by at least 20 per cent."

Technical director Richard Friend attributed much of the company's success to the support it has received from City of Sunderland Council.

He said: "Since relocating to our current premises three years ago, we have maintained a close relationship with the council so wasted no time in turning to them for help in implementing our ambitious growth plans.