A company set up in the district 130 years ago says it is proud to be taking its traditional Yorkshire brand to America.

Silver Cross, which has been manufacturing hand-crafted prams since 1877, is expanding its distribution to the US as a surge in interest by A-list stars fuels rapid growth in demand.

The company, which has its head office near Skipton and a small factory in Bingley, will launch a new subsidiary, Silver Cross America, in Delaware this month.

The company predicts a turnover of $2m (£1m) for the first year in the US, rising to $10m in three years, as it sells a range of traditional prams such as the famous Balmoral and Kensington models.

Alan Halsall, chairman of Silver Cross, said the company had previously worked with two distributors in the US, but both arrangements had not worked out.

He said: "We thought, rather than having distributors, why don't we do it ourselves? We are starting our own sales team over there selling directly to retailers.

"With our combination of great British design, a superb Yorkshire brand going back to 1877 and endorsements from celebrities, we feel we can have quite a lot of success.

"I would like to think we can turn over $2 million in year one and increase that to $10 million a year in about three years. "We are proud to be taking the Yorkshire brand around the world.

"In today's modern world, I'm convinced the consumers think there are still some brands that go back a long way and provide solidity."

The company turns over more than £10m a year in the UK, where it is looking to become the leading pram and pushchair company.

Mr Halsall, who bought Silver Cross in 2002, said: "It's going to be a lot of hard work, but we have got some great products.

"The new Dazzle product is a revolutionary children's push chair, which is very different-looking and revolutionary. Frank Lampard was pushing one the other day. It's the first of a few new products we are looking to launch." The company's celebrity following includes Sarah Jessica Parker, Courteney Cox Arquette, Liz Hurley, Catherine Zeta Jones and Angelina Jolie.

Manufacturing mainly takes place in the Middle East, but the company's Heritage range continues to be manufactured in Bingley.

Meanwhile, the company's 20-strong design, marketing and sales team is based just outside Skipton.