AN Internet company based in a North Yorkshire farm is keeping ahead of the competition thanks to a capital grant.

AmpleBosom.com, which supplies lingerie mostly for larger women, has received £16,000 to help convert a redundant pig shed into a warehouse, and to turn a former stockroom into an office call centre.

The company, which is based in the small village of Old Byland, near Helmsley, North Yorkshire, has been able to increase its turnover as a result and create several jobs.

AmpleBosom.com owner Sally Robinson set up her mail order and Internet-based business in 1999 to replace the declining farm income of her family.

She was prompted to specialise in lingerie for larger women after her friend encountered problems buying some for her wedding.

Ms Robinson wrote to 40 lingerie manufacturers and although only six replied, one was Triumph International.

Once they began supplying products to Sally, others followed, and AmpleBosom.com now sells lingerie from most of the world's larger manufacturers.

The company has a database of 50,000 customers all over the world, supplying them with bras from size 30AA to a 56GG.

AmpleBosom.com received a Business Development Fund (BDF) grant, which is administered by North Yorkshire County Council in association with Business Link York and North Yorkshire.

Businesses that wish to apply for a grant are asked to contact Business Link on 01904 686000.