It's Nut Free - the fledgling Yorkshire food firm that does what it says on the label - has received a welcome boost of development capital from Tadcaster-based investment business the Commer Group.

Jim Walsh, the entrepreneur who heads up the Commer Group, has injected £250,000 into the company, to increase production and expand its supermarket listings.

It's Nut Free was set up just over three years ago by Harrogate mother-of-four Angela Russell. At the time, she gained nationwide publicity for starting the business after realising there were hardly any manufactured foods she could buy for her nut-allergic daughter, Kirsty.

Simon White, managing director of It's Nut Free, who bought into the business six months ago, said: "Part of the new capital will allow us to move from our existing premises in Boston Spa to a larger, purpose-built production centre in the same area.

"We will also be investing in new-product development in order to expand the existing range of multi-pack flapjacks and breakfast cereals, and to introduce single-bar products for the impulse-purchase market.

"There is a significant market for our products. All the major supermarkets now recognise the importance of having a 'free-from' fixture to meet the needs of an estimated ten million customers who suffer from a wide range of food allergies."

Research shows that 2.5 million people in the UK, or about four per cent of the population, have some form of nut allergy, and a much larger number simply do not like foods containing nuts.

Sarah Pullan, investment director at the Commer Group, said: "It's Nut Free meets a clearly identifiable consumer need. It is competing in a highly challenging and sophisticated market, but with the right resources in place it has an excellent opportunity to grow significantly, and to take the lead in its field."

Commer Group was advised by lawyers Jonathan Oxley and Renuka Salvi at Lee & Priestley, and by reporting accountants Garbutt & Elliott of York.

Updated: 11:16 Wednesday, February 01, 2006