The parent company which owns a Cleckheaton sweets factory has scored a deal to supply three million Sherbet Fountains to Australia.

An increase in demand for nostalgic brands among ex-pats in the country has been noted by Tangerine Confectionery, which bought the factory in Westgate in 2008.

And the Cleckheaton branch, known as Lion Confectionery Company, could soon start reaping the benefits of a wider campaign to export more of the old-style sweets.

The Lion deal has been made with Australian Bulk Foods to supply the Barratt Sherbet Fountains and 70,000 cases of Taveners Proper Sweets to Australian supermarkets.

Blackpool firm Tangerine produces brands such as Butterkist Popcorn and Midget Gems at its Cleckheaton factory.

It is now planning a major campaign to boost exports.

Executive chairman Stephen Joseph said: “The export potential of brands like the Sherbet Fountain and Taveners is huge, especially in what you might call former colonial markets such as Australia, South Africa, Canada and Hong Kong.

“The pound’s weakness against other currencies presents an export opportunity and we plan to double our exports in the next three to five years.”

Sales of Sherbet Fountains rose 20 per cent in volume and 25 per cent by value between last May and November, according to the group, which also has plants in York and Pontefract.

Julie Simpson, of Bierley, Bradford, owns Sweet Memories, a traditional sweet shop in Bolton Road, Bolton, Bradford.

She said: “Our best sales are Lion’s Midget Gems. People always come in and ask if we’ve got ‘proper’ Midget Gems – Strawberry Bonbons and Dolly Mixture.

“There aren’t many traditional sweet shops about.”