A Bradford sign manufacturer is focused on further growth after reporting a dramatic rise in turnover after just 18 months in the trade.

SignFocus, based in Gower Street, West Bowling, was set up by friends Ray Davies and Anthony Grainger less than two years ago.

Since then, it has grown from two to six staff and is this year expecting to announce a turnover in the region of £2 million, up from around £300,000 in its first year.

The firm's signs - which are designed, manufactured and installed by the company - can now be seen outside most of the 55 branches of Dublin-based fast food chain Supermacs and the prestigious Harvey Nicholls store in Manchester.

And SignFocus has also scooped a contract to supply perimeter signing around the pitch at Bradford Bulls' Odsal Stadium.

Mr Davies said the duo moved to set up the firm after growing frustrated working for another sign company in the region. Design director Lee Burnett has since joined the company, which is rapidly becoming a major player in the industry.

"We were getting a little bit sick of us doing all the work and the bosses making all the money," joked Mr Davies.

"We started up from zilch. We basically had a business plan and nothing else. We managed to get a let on one unit and then put all our resources together to buy some machinery."

The firm, which uses a combination of modern technology and traditional craftsmanship, began by working for other sign companies.

But thanks to word of mouth, SignFocus soon found its name was becoming well known in the trade, leading to new contracts around the UK.

"The company has developed at an alarming rate but we see that as a complement as more and more businesses are recognising the quality of our work," said Mr Grainger, who paid tribute to the support received from Bradford Trident and Business Link.

And Mr Davies, who admitted to being "really surprised" by the firm's rapid growth, said the success was largely down to "personal service" and offering a little "tender loving care" to clients.

The firm has also been keen to recruit locally and has worked with organisations such as the JobCentre and Step Up to offer opportunities to people from disadvantaged backgrounds .

"We want to give these people a chance, regardless of their race, background or any disability," he said. "Although I am now working for myself and it is proving successful, I have had it very, very hard and I know the challenges some of these people face."