ENQUIRIES are being generated from the other side of the world by a specialist food company after branching into e-commerce with the help of Business Link North Yorkshire.

First Choice Expedition Foods has received orders from Australia, Brazil, South Africa and the US, thanks to an e-commerce website.

The Pickering business, set up in 1995, provides specialist foods for expeditions, backpackers and the emergency services.

First Choice sought Business Link's assistance in upgrading its website.

Ian Williams, who runs the firm with his wife Elizabeth, said: "Business Link had been very helpful when we launched the business so they were a natural port of call when we wanted to develop our e-commerce capabilities."

Martin Walsh helped the company to upgrade its site. He provided impartial advice, which included developing a specification and selecting a suitable supplier.

The website, www.expeditionfoods.com, now includes a password-protected extranet for customers as well as encryption of credit card data for off-line processing. First Choice expects it will help to boost turnover by more than 40 per cent in the next 18 months.

Mr Williams, who recently supplied Jim Shekhdar, the first man to row from Peru to Australia, added: "I feel more confident because I have leading edge technology. I am pleased with the site and optimistic about its importance to the business."