A 115-year-old Nottingham company is taking another step up in the business world after launching a new product.

A Bratt and Son Limited has designed and manufactured an innovative D Rung ladder, which has been awarded the British Standard Kitemark, from its base in Abbeyfield Road on the Lenton Industrial Estate.

Nationwide companies United Utilities and Western Power have already started using the glassfibre product which has been financed by Yorkshire Bank's Financial Solutions Centre in the city.

Managing director Stephen Bratt, who is the fourth generation of his family to take the helm at the 17-strong company, said this was the only glassfibre channel section D Rung ladder on the market to have been given a Kitemark.

"We are proud of the product and it has been a team effort," he said. "We talked to electricity companies to get their thoughts on what they wanted and we started the process from there.

"We have been working on this for the last two years, having built machines to manufacture the ladder as well as numerous prototypes before we were finally happy with the finished product.

"It looks very similar to every other D Rung ladder but it has been thoroughly tested to bring it up to the level required to receive a Kitemark. Because this glassfibre product is extremely strong, durable and is non-conductive it appeals to those working in the electricity industry.

"The feedback that we have had has been extremely positive because there is no other glassfibre product with a Kitemark of its type in the industry.

"We wouldn't have been able to meet all the criteria to get the Kitemark without the support of Yorkshire Bank."

Numerous ladders have been sold and samples sent to various companies to trial.

Russell Kilner, business partner at Yorkshire Bank in Castle Meadow Road in Nottingham, said A Bratt and Son Limited was a perfect example of a hard-working family-run business that was thriving in a niche industry.

"The company was started in 1895 but it continues to be forward-thinking in its ideas and methods and they are among the market leaders in this field," he said.

"We are delighted to have supported Stephen and his team through our Financial Solutions Centre in Nottingham where we provide a full range of banking services from independent advice to asset finance from our specialist advisers who are all under one roof.

"Having safe and practical ladders is vital to those who work in a wide variety of industries and D Rung ladders which have channel section sides and large D shaped rungs are popular among trade and industrial customers.

"Kitemarks are a nationally recognised symbol of quality and safety and proves this new product has been tested and is audited to the highest possible levels and we wish them every success with this new product."