A North Yorkshire timber company is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

Duffield Timber was founded by Robert Duffield in 1957 and is now said to be the North of England's largest supplier of specialist hardwoods to the joinery and furniture manufacturing sectors.

The business, which employs 40 local staff, has a seven acre site at Melmerby, near Ripon. A recent £1m re-investment programme has resulted in a new generation sawmill with state of the art wood working machines and the UK's first "cash and carry" wood working centre.

Howard Duffield, managing director, said there is new confidence in the sector after several years of stagnation.

He said: "Recent investment in new plant and technology allows us to offer the highest quality and quick turnaround. We see customers are increasingly demanding outsourced machined products.

"Our cash and carry wood working centre caters for both the professional and amateur wood worker alike. This is the first facility of its kind in the UK offering a vast range of hardwood lumber and rare species."

New stock management and labelling systems have been introduced to ensure customers have ready details of the company's products and it is increasing its presence at trade shows coupled with improved web and social media.

Mr Duffield said: "This latest round of investment together with our long serving and knowledgeable staff, positions us very well for many more years to come."