A small village is the home for one of the country's top salmon smokeries.

Springs Smoked Salmon in Edburton, West Sussex, is making a national success of what has always been a small family business.

The company, which is run by brothers David and Martin Harris, was founded by their father in 1964.

Inspired by his father-in-law, who was a successful salmon smoker in Suffolk, he started smoking fish to complement the farm he maintained with his brothers.

By 1971, the smokery business had grown so much that he sold his farm to concentrate on the newer business.

David and Martin took over in 1989 and the business now employs 25 people in a range of jobs, including office work, smoking fish and running the shop.

The majority of the brothers' revenue comes from supplying restaurants, pubs, golf clubs and hotels.

Martin said: "Since February we have picked up 22 new accounts, which is not bad when you consider the sales team consists of one person working three mornings a week."

Springs now offers about 200 different lines of seafood.

Wednesday April 30 2003