A MEN’S fashion company based in Yorkshire is expanding to China after being selected for a major showcase of British brands in Beijing.

Knitwear by Ross Barr is being displayed at the British House department store in the Chinese capital, near Tiananmen Square.

The showcase aims to highlight UK businesses and help them capitalise on the appetite for British goods in China.

Leeds-based Ross Barr’s clothing features Scottish wool fleeces which are dyed and spun by West Yorkshire Spinners in Keighley.

The company was founded by Ross Barr-Hoyland, 27, who won a start-up grant from The Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme in 2015.

He appointed Bradford-based Chamber International after attending a networking event staged jointly with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council this summer.

Mr Barr-Hoyland said: “I aim to build an authentic British brand to help revive British textiles, combat the decline in former industrial heartlands and provide opportunities for people in these areas.

“It is an honour to be featured alongside well-known names, and I’m looking forward to working with Chamber International to see how we can develop sales in China and along the ‘new silk road’ as it develops.

“As far as I’m concerned the sky’s the limit.”

Matthew Grandage, Chamber International China affairs associate, added: “China’s middle-class and wealthy consumers are increasingly seeking out boutique, quality brands with a story to tell, rather than just the major international labels.

“Ross is quick off the mark in realising the importance of this, and we look forward to working with him to bring his unique knitwear to customers around the world.”

Ross Barr produces three knitwear designs, The Spencer, The Hoyland, and The Elliott, which have sold internationally, and The Spencer was modelled by David Gandy at the Campaign for Wool Week in London in 2015.

The British House in Beijing was founded by Yimei McCabe, a supporter of British business.

Jamie Powell, The British House marketing director, said: “Ross Barr is one of our young designers with an innovative product which supports UK manufacturing. We hope to offer Ross a platform for new business in Beijing and internationally.”