A LOCAL confectionery manufacturer is now supplying Harvey Nichols as it puts Inverclyde on the map by supplying goods around the world.

Staff at The New Chocolate Company in Port Glasgow are enjoying global success, with their tasty treats in demand in Europe, America, Australia, Japan and India barely two years since the business started.

They have also been busy with orders from the likes of the five-star Edinburgh Grand Hotel and the upmarket Forth Floor restaurant within the city's Harvey Nichols department store.

The company was recently awarded five-star visitor attraction status by national tourism body VisitScotland and more staff are being taken on to keep up with demand for their bespoke chocolates.

Owner Brian Dick, who runs the firm with wife Joanne, is thrilled with the success of the company in such short space of time.

Mr Dick said: "We've taken a lot of time to do things right, from perfecting the chocolates and flavours to getting the packaging right.

"It seems now that it's all coming together, and coming together fast."

The company was established in 2017 after Brian and Joanne turned their love of chocolate into a business.

In recent months, their goods have been on display in the Houses of Parliament, thanks to Inverclyde MP Ronnie Cowan, and they are also on sale at the Scottish Parliament shop, courtesy of MSP Stuart McMillan.

They have also struck up a relationship with Kelburn Business Park neighbours, Peak Scientific, who are sending sweet treats to clients around the world, including in South Africa, Iceland, Malta, and cities such as Munich, Barcelona and San Diego.

The company also runs popular chocolate-making classes for children and the corporate sector, and recently launched a monthly subscription chocolate club.

A new member of staff has been taken on to help Brian, Joanne and chocolatier Katrina Hocking keep up with demand, with an expansion of the factory also in the pipeline.

Brian said: "With the way things are going with the business, it may be realistic to expand.

"We may need more space and offices."