FENTIMANS is saying cheers to a successful year thanks to growing export sales.

The Hexham-based business’s accounts for the year ending July 31 2015 show export sales accounted for 31.3 per cent of its £19.4m turnover.

These figures come a year after the firm was named one of the UK’s “national champions” in the European Business Awards for its contribution to British exports.

The company, started by original brewer Thomas Fentiman, sells its traditional soft drinks in 64 countries.

Its profit for the year was £478,230 which is a step in the right direction compared to the previous period’s loss of £3.37m in 2014.

A breakdown of turnover showed that UK sales grew by 14 per cent, while overseas sales grew by 60 per cent from £3.8m to £6.05m.

An increase in workforce also saw the business move premises in July last year.

Staff relocated from the office at the rear of Battle Hill to its current larger building, Fearless House, on Anick Road.

The company closed in the 1960s, but reopened in 1988.