A Wymondham-based games manufacturer has taken on two new illustrators as part of its expansion.

Orchard Toys, on the Wymondham Business Park, received almost 100 applications for an illustrator post and ended up hiring two new recruits.

April Nash, 22, from Wymondham, and Rowena Cooper, 27, of Hellesdon, have started their new roles after seeing the job advertised in the EDP.

It comes after Orchard Toys took on new staff to meet higher than expected demand for two of its products.

The firm moved from Nottingham to Norfolk more than six years ago and last year expanded its factory space in Wymondham by 50pc.

Simon Newbery, managing director, said: 'We've recently had several orders from multiples that included large quantities of the newly released Football Game and last year's Giant Road Jigsaw, which caught us on the back foot. It's a wonderful position to be in and we expect to build up stocks of the two products that are obviously proving to be so very popular.'

The firm designs its toys at the Wymondham base but subcontracts the manufacturing of the parts of its toys to UK companies. These are then assembled at its headquarters, which employs around 40 people.