A Lowestoft company which makes equipment for major sport competitions has netted more success having supplied equipment for this weekend's Netball World Cup finals.

The Netball World Cup is in full swing this week in Liverpool, and Harrod Sport in Lowestoft is behind all of the netball posts, nets and protectors for the tournament.

Kevin Utton, director of sales and marketing at Harrod Sport, said: "We are really proud to see our products representing Suffolk on the world stage.

"We're thrilled to be playing a part in inspiring the next generation of young athletes."

The business has been designing and manufacturing high quality goals and other equipment for a range of sports from its factory in Lowestoft since 1956. They employ 135 people at their 120,000 square foot factory, and their selection to create the tournament's equipment follows a close working relationship with England Netball spanning over 20 years.

Thinley Topden, head of the East of England team at the government's Department for International Trade, commented: "It's great to see the success of the Netball World Cup extending from Liverpool to businesses here in the East of England.

"Harrod Sport is a brilliant example of a company which has successfull taken advantage of growing demand overseas, and this is testament to the quality of its product. I would encourage other companies to follows Harrod's lead."

The Suffolk-based company exports to over 30 countries, and its success is part of a national picture which sees the total exports of British sporting equipment rising by 10pc in the last year to £500 million, according to analysis of HMRC data by the Department for International Trade.

In May, equipment designed and created by Harrod Sport was used in the Champions League final between Liverpool and Tottenham. Harrod also recently supplied Tottenham Hotspur with equipment for their new stadium, which is one of ten Premier League clubs using its products. Other clubs include Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germain.

Mr Utton went on to say: "2019 is proving an exciting year for our company and we're already looking ahead to the Rugby World Cup in Japan later this year where we will be supplying the rugby posts to all host venues."