NESTLÉ has launched a new sugar free, extra strong variety of its famous Polo mint sweets - and is also launching a multi-million pound advertising campaign for its Rowntree brands.

The York confectioner has hung colourful banners outside its factory in Haxby Road proclaiming it as the 'Smile Factory' to celebrate the launches.

A spokesman said it was investing in its much loved Polo mint brand to deliver its first packaging re-design in a decade and to create the new variety - Sugar Free Extra Strong.

"The brand is also undertaking a new advertising campaign, its first in five years," he said.

"Meanwhile, Polo Sugar Free is also sponsoring the Oral Health Foundation’s National Smile Month in recognition of the fact that the range is kind to teeth."

Polo brand manager Laura Steer said: “We set out to update the Polo packaging and create a wrapper as iconic as the mint with the hole itself.

"It’s our first packaging refresh in ten years and our first advertising campaign for five. We are proud of the new look for the range and the addition of our new Polo Sugar Free Extra Strong product. We hope it will please Polo fans everywhere.”

Meanwhile, the company's Rowntree brands are to feature in a new TV advert as well as unique content and video on demand running across a range of online platforms including Facebook, YouTube and 4oD.

"The ‘Smile Factory’ will promote the entire range of Rowntree's products, including all together on TV for the very first time," said the spokesman. "It will also welcome the newly launched range of Rowntree's mini packs which provide a smaller confectionery treat for parents."

Rowntree's brand manager Charlotte Mountford said the company was 'serious' about its sweets. "We’ve been making them for over 130 years and are proud of every single one of our family of brands," she said. "This campaign is a big moment in Rowntree's history and a chance to showcase our new and existing products in a big way."