You got to roll with it!

Pop diva Madonna wanted the £10,000 luxury carpet for her two-year-old daughter Lourdes' nursery in her apartment in New York.

And Heckmondwike Carpets (1873), which was founded 126 years ago, was more than happy to make the Brussels weave loop-pile Wilton from 100 per cent pure virgin New Zealand wool in off-white with a pattern in soft pastel colours.

The company, which specialises in custom-made carpets, was based on the site of Morrison's supermarket in Beck Lane, Heckmondwike, before moving to Dewsbury 14 years ago.

Managing director Bob Bushnell, of Crossley Lane, Mirfield, who joined the company in 1969 as head designer, said: "When we first got the fax for the order I thought somebody was having us on.''

But after double checking, some of the 60 workers employed at the factory then set about making the carpet, which covers 160 square metres, in ten days with the help of computer-aided designs. Father-of-four Bob, 60, said: "Before we were given the go-head we had to send a hand-made sample to New York for Madonna to approve. There were some anxious hours before we heard back. Then we had a fax saying: 'We have a GO.' Madonna was very specific about the pattern she wanted.

"We've been told she is absolutely delighted with the carpet. The publicity has been very good for business and a boost for the workers.''

He revealed that the singer's interior designer originally spotted the carpet on display at Rosecore Carpets, one of the firm's customers based in Third Avenue, New York.

But she's not the only celebrity who has turned to Heckmondwike Carpets.

Pop star Liam Gallagher and actress Patsy Kensit ordered a cut-pile Wilton for the lounge at their London home.

And the Duchess of Devonshire, who owns Bolton Abbey in Skipton and Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, is a regular customer. Singer Dame Vera Lynn is also a past customer.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.