A business which prides itself on its ability to diversity into different markets has branched out into a new area – LED lighting.

BPC Circuits designs, manufactures and installs circuit boards for companies all over the world from its base in Leicester.

Since 1993 it has made products including pagers, wind-up torches and radios, control panels for dust control systems, disco lights, jukeboxes and electronic advertising displays.

It has now started building LED lighting systems for pubs, clubs, businesses, homes and hospitals.

Marketing manager Henry Paulinski said the LED market was ripe for expansion as it offered a more efficient, greener alternative to halogen bulbs.

The systems are now used in Belisha beacons up and down the country, and are even replacing the bulbs in some street lights.

Mr Paulinski said: "We are developing lighting systems that last tens of thousands of hours.

"We've already done a lot of point of sales displays using LED in places like Harrods and for companies such as cosmetics brands. A lot of it is now down to educating contractors and installers that LED lighting is worthwhile.

"I would say that as it grows over the next five years LED packages will represent about 15 per cent of our business – it's probably about 10 per cent right now, and worth about £500,000 a year at present."

BPC has its main design area, engineers and production line at its headquarters in Gorse Hill Industrial Estate, Beaumont Leys, where it employs 60 people.

It also has a sister company called Leicester Circuits, in East Goscote, which makes circuit boards and employs a further 30 staff.

Combined turnover for the group is more than £10 million.

Managing director Gurbakhash Sanghera said the firm had been helped by advisors at Yorkshire Bank's Leicester Financial Solutions Centre in New Walk.

He said: "Our circuit board technology is among the most advanced available and the market for the new LED lights really is massive due to the green credentials the products have behind them.

"We've worked with Yorkshire Bank for around six years and they have been very supportive throughout this period."

Steve Evans, Yorkshire Bank's business banking partner in New Walk, said: "Yorkshire Bank is delighted to be supporting its creation of innovative products."