AN Evesham mushroom business is growing, by making more use of sunlight and solar panels.

Walsh Mushrooms has opened a new extension at the company’s packing and distribution site on Vale Park, an event attended by nearly 100 guests, including customers and suppliers.

The chairman of Wychavon District Council, Cllr Val Wood opened the new hall and the following day local mid Worcestershire MP Nigel Huddleston also toured the site.

The £2.25m investment sees an additional 15,000 sq ft to increase the facility by a third. This will allow the company, which employees 120 staff at the site, to increase its mushrooms sales from the current 500 tonnes per week. Part of the investment on the new building includes £160k on solar panels, which will provide 60 per cent of its electricity requirement. This is in addition to £225k spent on solar panels on the existing building earlier this year.

Walsh managing director Padraic O’Leary, said: "The investment was vital for the long term future in order to grow the business which has been in Evesham for more than 30 years and that the solar power reflects our to support the local community and environment."