TORY leader William Hague was impressed by the bravery of a Bolton company which has defied a difficult economic environment to invest £9 million in the future.

Mr Hague, who arrived 40 minutes late after battling through the traffic from Manchester Airport, was the star turn yesterday at Charles Turner and Co's Springside Mills, off Belmont Road.

The company, established in 1834, has increased the workforce by 20 and now employs 170 people, manufacturing and converting tissue paper.

Chairman and Chief Executive Nigel Samuel, who had invited Mr Hague to see at first hand the company's success, proudly led Mr Hague on a tour round the new building which houses a new state-of-the-art Italian tissue machine.

It will double the mill's annual capacity to more than 30,000 tonnes and underpin forecasted turnover growth from £12 million to £20 million.

Earlier, before unveiling a plaque, Mr Hague heard Mr Samuel say his company was now the largest independent tissue producer in the country.

Mr Hague praised the firm's achievement in building its business over more than160 years.

He noted that the investment had been made at a time when manufacturing industry was suffering and companies were battling against excessive regulation and red tape.

Mr Hague said:"To be fighting against that trend is a great tribute to you and your colleagues, your family and to all your staff here at Charles Turner & Co. I salute everyone who has been involved."

After the visit was over, Mr Samuel said: "I have enjoyed showing Mr Hague round and telling him about some of the burdens we are facing in our industry, particularly with legislation from Europe which is gilt-edged by the Labour Party."

He said there were now about 20,000 people employed in the industry, compared with 100,000 not long ago.

"Without this investment, the business would have no future," he said.