A firm who produce wet wipes are planning an expansion which will bring jobs to Farnworth as demand for their product soars.

Saraco Industries Ltd hopes to create 18 new jobs if plans for a new building at their site on Egerton Street are approved.

.The company employs 77 full time staff and eight part-time at the site, with 60 of those jobs created in the past 18 months as the firm expanded into overseas markets.

Group accountant Nigel Whittle, speaking on behalf of the company, said Saraco’s range of anti-bacterial disposable wipes, which are for both cosmetic and surface cleaning use, had shown rapid growth.

He said: “The company has increased production lines to accommodate additional business  gained both from clients both in the UK and abroad.

“There is now a need at the Farnworth site to expand with a new unit.

“The company needs more space to put additional plant and machinery.

Mr Whittle said Saraco were committed to Farnworth but there was a risk if they were unable to expand.

He said: “Most of the workforce are from the Bolton area, in the region of 90 per cent.

“Saraco are committed to support local employment in this area and hope for planning permission quickly.

“This is imperative to not only create further 15 plus jobs but to safeguard existing jobs as the firm are constantly under pressure to keep up with demand and to avoid re-location into another borough.”

The planning application, which has just been lodged with Bolton Council, covers the erection of a new commercial unit for the storage of finished products and textile raw materials.

In the future a two-storey offices may be constructed internally.

Mr Whittle said this year’s  pandemic had seen demand increase specially in anti-bacterial wipes and they had been happy to assist many organisations during the crisis.

He said: “Saraco have supported many public and private schools and nursing homes and charities with free issues wipes.

“The firm has also supplied our local hospitals in the same way and happy to contribute to community projects.”

The planning application provides 20 car parking spaces with two specifically for disabled use.

A new cycle storage shelter for eight cycles and two motorcycles is also planned.

The application will be decided on by the council’s planning committee at a future date.