NorthWest Waterjet, Chorley, has received a grant from Fuse Fund, which is a £4 million Regional Growth Fund programme set up to support companies in Lancashire.

The company — established in November 2013 by Andrew Dodd, Carl Sandell and Eddie Grimshaw — will put the £23,372 grant towards buying high-tech machinery. The total value of the investment is £93,500.

Mr Dodd said: “Without the Fuse Fund, we would never have been able to get this venture off the ground. Cash-flow is critical when starting up, so having the Fuse Fund contribute to the project has made a huge difference.

"We’re pleased to say that business growth has exceeded our expectations, and we’re seriously considering buying a second machine later this year.”

Grants of £5,000-50,000 are being offered by Fuse Fund, which is a private- and public-sector partnership led by Regenerate Pennine Lancashire and Lancashire Business View, with support provided by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.