STAFF at Greenock confectionery firm Golden Casket are fizzing with excitement after launching a new range of Millions drinks.

The canned refreshments are going down a storm, with one retailer alone selling over 16,000 in just two days.

The first of the Millions drinks are in strawberry and bubblegum flavours and they are completely sugar-free.

Major retailers such as B&M and Poundland are stocking the new range with others such as Savers waiting in the wings.

Sandra Fisher, sales and marketing director of Golden Casket, said: "The sugar-free fizzy drinks are a natural extension after the success of Millions milk straws.

"We thought it would've done well but it's gone much better than we expected.

"It's another great brand extension."

The tiny, chewy sweet was invented by Golden Casket founder, the late Douglas Rae OBE, back in 1991 and has become a global success.

Millions are on sale in over 20 countries around the world in flavours such as cola, orange, apple and Vimto.

The new Millions drinks cans feature characters 'Aubrey Strawberry' and 'Hugh Blu'.

The brand has exploded in recent years and now features on things like mugs with the sweets included in sundae sets and will soon be appearing in bakery aisles with new cookie and cake mixes, frosting and icing.

There are also Millions-scented car fresheners, candles and diffusers.

Carly Rae-Fulton, Golden Casket marketing assistant, said: "I'm excited about this latest brand extension and continuing to grow the Millions brand, which is so popular."

The company is preparing to launch a new flavour of the sweetie later this year to mark Golden Casket's 60th year in business.

Marketing chief Sandra said: "It's all about bringing the fun back into confectionery. "We would like to thank our retail and wholesale partners who have trusted all the new product development on the brand and put us on the shelf to supply our consumers. "The Millions brand has delivered."

Golden Casket is continuing to support Scottish children's hospitals by sponsoring an 'Oor Wullie' sculpture to raise money for sick kids around the country as part of the company's diamond anniversary celebrations.

The Millions-sponsored statue will be on display in Glasgow's Argyle Street from June 17 until the end of August.