AN Aire Valley-based manufacturer has become the first in its field to join a campaign which recognises UK producers.

Acorn Stairlifts is the first in the sector to be accepted into the Made in Britain campaign designed to enable consumers at home and abroad to identify British-made products.

The membership follows another industry first for the award-winning Steeton-based business which was awarded Trustmark accreditation for installation and customer care.

Dave Belmont , Acorn's company secretary, said: “Our manufacturing operation is such that we now export to 80 countries and every nine minutes, an Acorn stairlift is installed somewhere in the world.

“Acorn prides itself on its manufacturing efficiencies and expertise and we are delighted to be recognised by and accepted as a member of ‘Made in Britain’, an organisation which underpins our own values of supporting and developing our home-grown manufacturing industry.”

John Pearce, Made in Britain chief executive, added: “We are delighted to have Acorn Stairlifts as a member of the Made in Britain Campaign.

" Acorn is an exceptional success story and, like so many members of the campaign, a exemplary employer, exporter and model of responsible, principled business. We are looking forward to working closely with the marketing and sales teams at Acorn to help them raise awareness of their innovative stairlifts by applying the award-winning Made in Britain marque to their products, packaging and on-line.”

Acorn Stairlifts employs more than 1,400 staff worldwide and is celebrating 20 years in business with its core manufacturing centre in Steeton.

Meanwhile, the company recently made its largest ever donation to the Sue Ryder

Manorlands hospice in Oxenhope.

Employees Rachel Shaw and Gill Smillie presented the charity with a cheque for £17,845 following a series of events last year, including the Keighley BigK 10k walk and run, dress-down days, a garden party, and the Starlight Hike and Christmas raffle.

Andrew Wood, Sue Ryder regional fundraiser, said “Once again the team at Acorn Stairlifts have excelled themselves and raised a terrific total over the past year. This is the largest annual donation from a business in the Keighley district and it makes a massive difference to the local people who benefit from our care each year."