The oldest industry in Burgess Hill has turned gloom into boom and increased its workforce by about 20 per cent.

The prosperity of Burgess Hill was founded on Keymer Tiles and smaller firms like it in the 19th century. But it stopped brick-making about 25 years ago and its tile production was hit by competition from cheaper imports.

The workforce, once 300, slumped to only 60 a few years ago but now the firm is making a remarkable recovery with its first new product range for more than 120 years.

New methods of drying have meant it can produce a high quality tile to compete on price. And the company at Nye Road, Burgess Hill, now finds itself struggling to cope with demand.

As a result the workforce has increased and director Neil Tobin said: "In 1992 we had to cut the workforce in half and it went down to 60 but we have brought it up to 72. If this level of demand continues, we will be under pressure to employ more".

Lord Renton, former Tory Chief Whip Tim Renton, was due to visit the tileworks this afternoon to see the production of the new Shire and Clayton handmade ranges and attend a champagne reception of their official launch.

Press spokesman David Ing said: "The new ranges represent a new era for the company. This means more jobs, more prospects, and a brighter future for Burgess Hill."

The firm has even found it hard to get staff to meet the new demand. Mr Tobin said: "It's more difficult and we are facing competition from places like Gatwick. We are OK now, we have just had to spread our net a little wider."

It has been making clay-based products since 1875. One of the new tiles is the Clayton, a smooth tile seen across Sussex on the walls of houses. It used to be produced at Southwater, near Horsham, and Keymer saw a gap in the market.

The firm's traditional style of tile will be continued. The boom for Keymer Tiles is a boost for the town after the recent loss of more than 100 jobs at Filofax and 50 at CAE Electronics in the town.

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