An island textiles company has been hailed a success story after its export sales in the US topped £1 million and it doubled its sales in Scandinavia to £250,000.

Bute Fabrics, which employs 40 people, has also increased annual turnover by 40% year on year, according to economic development agency Scottish Enterprise.

The textile weaver, which has been asked to produce a new tartan for the Society of William Wallace, has now set its sights on expanding into other countries and is teaming up with a firm working in Russia.

James MacAdam Sprint, Bute Fabrics managing director, said: "We are an ambitious Scottish manufacturer that realises if we want to grow, we need to win new orders, in new countries, from new customers and through new intermediaries.

"SDI (Scottish Development International) has been pro-active in setting up outward and inward missions and introducing wide networks of contacts to us. This has helped us enter into contracts with export partners who have provided us with the key to unlock the door to sizeable sales in foreign markets."

The firm, a fabric designer and manufacturer based on the Isle of Bute, weaves textiles for airports, public buildings and auditoriums.