SAXON Leather in Bolton is noted for its handmade furniture — so much so that leather suites made by local craftsmen grace the homes of TV and sports stars.

Television presenter Jonathan Ross bought made to measure leather sofas and chairs from the Bolton factory.

And former Manchester United player Roy Keane ordered from Saxon as did former world champion snooker player Steve Davis. The company has even fitted out a luxury palace in Malaysia.

Now the firm’s latest coup is to fit out a luxury hotel in a renewed Iraq.

Managing director Robert Jolly says the company has supplied 50 pieces of furniture to the refurbished hotel in formerly war-torn Al Najaf, in Iraq.

Saxon supplied traditional Chesterfield-style furniture earlier this year.

And the Al Najaf International Hotel even wanted photographs of the furniture being made in Bolton to hang next to the finished items in the hotel lobby.

Based in Manchester Road, Saxon Leather Upholstery Ltd is now in its fourth factory, having expanded from the original furniture company Mr Jolly and his wife bought 27 years ago.

The then small company had just six workers and the owner was going to retire and close the factory until the Jollys stepped in.

Now the company employs 60 people, 40 in manufacturing and the rest in the offices, sales staff and showroom.

Three of the original six employees are still with the company.

The showroom has a glass window opening out on to the shop floor where customers can see the furniture being made.

Turnover last year was £4.5 million and despite the recession Mr Jolly expects this year’s figures to be the same.

“Turnover is ever so slightly down on last year at the moment but I expect that by the time we get to the year end in June it will be back on track to equal last year’s figures.”

Saxon Leather estimates that around 10 per cent of its output is bespoke but that is mainly for the contract, or specialist, markets which includes hotels and celebrities.

Now the company is looking to produce more designer-led upmarket furniture in the future. “There is still a lot of people out there who are design oriented and we are in a position to satisfy their needs,” said Mr Jolly.