FOR the last 24 years, Thomas Cleaning in Chipping Norton has been adding a bit of sparkle to thousands of homes and businesses in the Cotswolds.

The family-run enterprise, which provides comercial and domestic cleaning services within a 20-mile radius of Chippy including Stow, Moreton, Bourton, Oxford and Stratford, has just celebrating moving to a larger premises.

The firm threw a party for about 40 businesses in the town last week at its new home in the Cromwell Business Park, Banbury Road.

Founded by Richard Thomas, of Long Compton, the business has grown from a one-man band to boast 33 full-time cleaners and six office staff .

Mr Thomas’ son Harry, aged 24, of Great Rollright, who has been working there full-time for about a year, said the party generated quite a lot of interest in what they do.

“It was a good day, we had a good turnout,” he said.

“We had a few people come in to talk to us about possibly franchising and how they wanted to start up on their own.”

From small beginnings cleaning everywhere from corner shops to the Home Office and even Heathrow Airport, the firm now cleans 150 homes a day in the local area.

Its customers also include Wychwood CE Primary School, Chadlington School and Sibford Gower Endowed Primary School, along with West Street and White House doctors’ surgeries.

Other services include upholstery and carpet cleaning along with a key holding service for people who want their houses cleaned while they are out.

Its striking fleet of 12 pink cars have become well known around the area after they were introduced about five years ago.

“We used to go around in normal cars,” said Harry.

“But we decided to repaint them to look more professional. My dad had the idea of painting the company cars bright pink.

“They certainly work, people notice them.”

The business now has franchises in Cheltenham, Leamington and High Wycombe with plans to expand further.

Six staff have gone on to take franchises and the firm, which is an accredited member of the British Franchise Association (BFA), hopes to open 12 new ones this year.