A host of Bradford firms are making it big overseas after benefiting from a share of £500,000 worth of grants.

West Yorkshire Targeted Export Support (WYTES), part of Business Link West Yorkshire's Export Experience initiative, has invested in more than 100 companies in the district looking to sell in continental markets.

And Bradford-based free-standing bath manufacturer Clearwater Collection has been among the biggest beneficiaries.

Today managing director Darren Allison said the money had been a huge help in allowing the fast-growing firm to break into America and France.

The company received £7,000 to help pay for literature for use in the United States and a further £7,000 to fund a place at a major exhibition in France.

Clearwater, based in Bowling Back Lane, has just secured a further £7,000 to help fund a tour of regional exhibitions in Germany as it looks to break into that market too.

Mr Allison said he believed the support had effectively secured between ten and 15 jobs at Clearwater, which now exports its unique hand-made products to 23 countries.

"It has been absolutely superb for us," he said. "It makes that key difference because £7,000 is a lot of money. In the early days, it is very difficult to spend that kind of money when you don't even know if you have a market in a particular country. By having this kind of assistance, it reduces the risk."

Garry Hudson, founder of Narked at 60, the Bradford retailer and manufacture of specialist diving equipment, said his firm had also benefited.

"With the help of £5,600 of funding from WYTES our design has received a quality guarantee of the European Community," he said. "This is an amazing achievement and one that will benefit the diving community as access to this kind of equipment was only available through import from the US."

Of the 111 companies assisted, ten have become new exporters and the others have identified 177 new markets. It is anticipated that 185 new full-time jobs will be created in West Yorkshire with assisted companies estimating their export sales will increase by nearly £30 million over the next 18 months.

Lynn Tune, project manager at WYTES said: "Our investment has been great, but the anticipated return will be worth it.

"West Yorkshire will benefit greatly from new jobs as companies increase their sales, profits and ultimately their companies"

For further details, telephone (0113) 383 7733.