A NEWLY-launched furniture business aims to be top of the class after securing its first major order from a leading public school.

Castles UK, which manufactures furniture for boarding schools, has received an order to supply 80 sets of furniture to Millfield School, in Somerset.

Castles UK is based on the Loxley Park Industrial Estate in Tockwith, near York.

Each bedroom set being supplied to Millfield comprises a desk, bedside locker, wardrobe and two bookcases.

The order means the business, only started in April with help from Business Link York and North Yorkshire, can progress to the next level of development.

The company's contracts manager, David Stamper, said: "The total value of the order is very substantial and provides a real boost to a fledgling business such as ours.

"It is also valuable to our track record, as it demonstrates that we can fulfill major contracts anywhere in the UK to a high specification."

Mr Stamper initially spoke to John Kennett, chief executive of Harrogate and Craven Business Development Centre, the local contact point for Business Link in the area.

Mr Stamper said: "The help we received from John Kennett was crucial. He went through everything from initial financial management to cashflow forecasts, which really helped us to focus on what we needed to do."

Mr Kennett said: "Castles UK has identified a market need and is demonstrating that it can meet it.

"It is a pleasure to help and see them fulfil the targets in their own business plan."

For more information about the services offered by Business Link York and North Yorkshire, contact Mark Greenaway on (01904) 656769.