A Bolton company based mainly on defence contracts is expanding its showbusiness role.

Francis Searchlights (1990) Ltd in Union Road has bought EL International Ltd of Milton Keynes from the receivers.

EL Lighting (Edison-Lumo) has two distinct product groups.

The Edison range includes low voltage spotlights, downlights and voltage track systems for the commercial and building markets.

And the comprehensive range of Lumo spot and floodlights is designed specifically for the television, theatre and film industries. Mr John Nunnerley, Managing Director of Francis Searchlights, said today that the business was being transferred to their factory in Bolton and it would ensure the continuation of one of the last wholly-British manufacturers of studio lighting.

He expected the additional workload to create four to six extra jobs at the Bolton site, which currently employs 40 people.

"We see this as a big opportunity," he said. Francis Searchlights was formed originally in 1901 by Thomas Francis and initially supplied lighting to theatres.

During the first world war it expanded and produced lighting equipment for the admiralty and war office.

These days, with a fine military tradition behind the Francis name, the latest management is looking towards the entertainment world again.

Already the company supplies spectacle lights for Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Euro-Disney.

Now Mr Nunnerley sees a world-wide market in theatre, film and television. "In the long term I see it potentially as a very large part of the business in years to come," he said.

More locally, he believes there could be opportunities with the BBC and Granada in Manchester.

He said the acquisition of EL International Ltd, which last recorded an annual turnover of £500,000, was a "significant purchase."

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