Amorous couples choosing to stay in and save money because of the credit crunch have led to a huge rise in sales at a condom company.

While the best things in life are free, the products made by Pasante, based at Lancing Business Park, are not much more expensive and the firm is proving that some business really are recession proof.

Sales rose as much as 40% yearon- year in November.

Lawrence Boon, who co-owns the company with brothers Paul and Dominic, said: “We saw decent growth last year but the past few months have been exceptional.

“In certain areas we have seen sales leap by as much as 40%.”

Mr Booth believes the rise can be credited to both the credit crunch hitting people’s wallets and the popularity of their latest range of novelty condoms, which are sold in outlets from Tesco to budget pharmacist Savers.

He said: “When sales really rocketed we sat about thinking why this could be and thought that it must be the credit crunch making people not go out as much.

“Sex is one of the cheapest forms of entertainment after all.

“But I think part of the increase is also down to our new products.

We have added to our range and now have 19 different varieties. A lot of the increase in sales has been in the fun range.”

Pasante has about 30% of the condom market in the UK and is the second most popular brand behind Durex.

The Boon brothers sold their Paladone business, which sold fun and sexy gifts, in February last year to concentrate on Pasante and last year it had a turnover of £4.2 million.

The next move for the company is to expand into the overseas market and it is looking to recruit new staff at its 30,000 sqft factory.

Mr Boon said: “A few weeks ago we exhibited at the Medica show, the world’s largest medical products exhibition.

“We came back with some great leads which we are following up at the moment.

“Our next stage in the UK is to introduce round foil pockets instead of the usual square ones.

“We have had some special machines built and they should be on the market in the next four weeks.

“We think they will be very popular.”