Barn boost for nappy firm

The business is run from an organic farm in west Cornwall

An innovative Cornish business which makes biodegradable and washable nappies has been boosted by funding from the government and Europe.

And Bosigran Farm near Pendeen is also being highlighted by Defra as a good example of the sustainable policies the department is promoting nationally.

Bob and Liz Scambler run the business, called Lollipop, from their organic farm.

It is based in two historically important 200-year-old barns, which have been restored with help from Defra and Objective One.

We are looking to manufacture some of the nappies locally

Liz Scambler, Lollipop

The work was carried out using traditional methods and materials and many of the original features of the barn have been restored.

Liz Scambler became involved with environmentally-friendly nappies when her own children were young.

She and her team of 12 workers design specifications and colourful patterns for the nappies and place orders with manufacturers.

They then sell and distribute the nappies across the UK through a network of agents, mostly mothers who have used the products themselves.

'Thriving business'

"We now have a thriving business on the site and we are also looking to manufacture some of the nappies locally," said Mrs Scambler.

"This will create new jobs and cut down on the financial and environmental costs of transport."

This latest project was led and designed by the National Trust building department, which invested £40,000.

Defra provided investment of £17,000 and the Objective One Rural Development Grant Initiative invested £49,000.