AN EXPANDING Worcestershire company that makes wedding favours has pledged to keep using local businesses as it goes from strength-to-strength.

The White House, in Crowle, near Worcester, is the country's leading designer of wedding favours, which are small boxes containing sweets and nuts, given to wedding guests by the bride and groom.

At The National Wedding Show, held at Birmingham's NEC last week, the company secured more than 1,000 orders for samples.

"I would rather find the best producers around here than send things off to the Middle East," said Diana Crabtree, The White House director.

"We will be launching a range for men in January next year, including pots of honey, mustard and cheeses, and want to find the best companies around Worcestershire to produce them.

"All the girls who work here are either from Crowle or very nearby."

Last month, the company, which is run from Mrs Crabtree's home, was awarded a prestigious contract to create unique gifts for the Irish Bride of the Year 2002 competition.

"Earlier this year we won the contract for the UK Bride of the Year for the second year in a row," she added.

The White House has also been awarded a contract with Debenhams to be the sole provider of the department store's wedding favours.

"We have been approached to produce favours for a number of high class celebrity weddings, although we can't name names," she added.

The company was launched four years ago after Mrs Crabtree, a former translator, was unimpressed with the range of favours on offer for her own wedding.

"It's a beautiful industry to be in as the brides are so happy and we get to be as creative as the bride will let us," she said.

For more information visit www.the-whitehouse.uk.com