SELINA SCOTT chose to sock her new product to the public with the help of a North Yorkshire firm.

The former Clothes Show presenter relied on 9xb, a two-year-old web development firm in Knaresborough to set up and manage her website to sell mohair socks made by her company, Ampleforth Angoras Ltd, based in Kirkbymoorside.

Oh, and while we are namedropping, 9xb also spun its skilful web around the internet home of Cindy Jackson, the London-based cosmetic surgery celebrity and model.

Impressive, but perhaps just as important for 9xb commercially is its hugely growing corporate portfolio which now stands at 250 websites.

The rush for its services over the past 12 months alone, makes the firm a good candidate for both the Small Business Of The Year and Growth Business Of The Year titles in The Press Business Awards 2006.

In that time, the payroll has grown from six to 14 people and has won more than 50 new clients, including Drax Power Station, Rolawn, the turf and topsoil suppliers of Elvington and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Association.

The result: An increase in turnover from £267,000 to an expected £450,000.

In order to meet the growing demand the firm has taken on a web designer, a web developer and a marketing manager and is clearing the way for a second sales person.

It has also launched its own online marketing division, Clearsite Marketing.

Director Rob Burns said: "There is no longer a need for businesses to head into London or Leeds for expert online advice.

"9xb is turning Knaresborough into the region's centre of internet excellence."