A Bradford-based bath manufacturer has launched a new business in America.

Clearwater Collection, which specialises in free-standing luxury baths, is adding America to the list of more than 20 countries in which it trades.

The move is expected to take the company's turnover to more than £10 million and it is hoped that the new venture will achieve sales worth £3 million in its first year.

The operation will be based out of North Haven in Connecticut.

One of the biggest free-standing bath manufacturers in Europe, the firm has already secured a contract to provide 180 Edwardian-style baths to a hotel in Texas.

Heather Fullthorpe, of Clearwater Collection, said: "We have been exporting to America but until now our operations have been quite small. Our managing director Darren Allison went on a marketing course there last year and the idea escalated from that. Progress has been good and we have had orders through already and are expecting more fairly soon."

Clearwater Collection employs 79 people at its factory on Bowling Back Lane and owns factories in India and China.

The company exports to countries such as Tanzania and Dubai.

It has already had two overseas associate companies in Ireland and in the Asian Pacific.

The firm also lists a number of celebrities amongst its customers, with David Beckham and Jade Goody having purchased baths from them since their founding in 1999.