TEN years on and Wilton Carpet Factory is reaping the benefits of successful trading across the globe.

In 1995, news that the famous Wilton Royal carpet factory would close, days after being bought by an American multinational company, caused outrage.

Steeped in 300 years of history, the firm was purchased by former managers three months after closing and the old workforce was re-employed.

On Monday, the factory celebrated its tenth birthday, with staff and guests marking the landmark occasion with a large cake and some bubbly.

The company began to sell carpets and rugs direct to customers in the area from its factory shop after it rose from the ashes, and this aspect of the business has become just as important as the commercial side.

John Dowding, commercial manager, said much of the company's success could be put down to the emphasis on personal service.

"I think it has been an enormous achievement, to look at what's been done in such a short space of time.

"Ten of us came back on that first day to an empty factory and no orders.

"The support we had locally and from within the industry was brilliant and, after a month, the first loom had started, and since then everything has moved forward in a very positive way."

Wilton Carpets can be seen in prestigious venues throughout the world, including the home of Southampton Football Club, the Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium, the Bournemouth International Centre, the United Nations Building in New York, Las Vagas casinos and some plush London hotels.