Pest control experts STV International revealed ambitions to double in size within the next five years during a visit from the environment minister.

South West Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss was opening the extension to the company's warehouse at Little Cressingham.

The family firm is one of the UK's biggest suppliers of pest control products, from slug pellets and bed bug treatments and rat traps, and employs around 60 staff.

It already supplies UK retailers including Wilkinson's and B&Q, as well as 27 countries including Australia and New Zealand.

It opened a Hong Kong office in 2014.

Managing director Edwin Allingham said the company grew by 16pc in 2015, adding: 'We have a niche idea but are growing quite quickly. I think we could double the size of the company in the next five years.

'A big product drive for us is what the professionals are doing. Our job is to take a difficult task – dealing with pests – and make it as easy and safe as we can. I would say we're holding our own. We're keeping independent against a backdrop of product suppliers being bought up.'

Ms Truss said: 'There are so many businesses in rural Norfolk doing things that are cutting edge. STV stocks good products that a lot of people use, and to see their shipping list is really impressive.

'I think it is exciting that there are plans to invest more capital in the business and there are all these export opportunities, as well as the domestic market.'

During her tour Ms Truss was shown STV's warehouse, assembly line, product development and marketing departments, and showroom. Mr Allingham said 40-50pc of STV's products come from UK manufacturers, with 40 new items introduced to its range last year.

The company shifts almost 10 million units a year, with rodent control the biggest market, but Mr Allingham said sales of remedies for clothes moths and bed bugs are on the rise.