Mrs Margaret Heyworth, supervisor, one of the earliest machinists to join the Billingtons and a "tower of strength" at work. She is a fervid supporter of the clarets on the Turf.

From the ninth of an Express weekly industrial feature "We Can Make It" by Allan Halstead. The series outlines each firm's history and development and tells the story of ordinary people. It was linked with a competition "Unsung Hero '71" with a prize of a holiday in Ireland with a companion. To find all this series of articles search the website using the words - unsung hero.

A visit to one of Burnley's newer and (as yet) smaller industries gave an impressive reminder that two old commercial adages are as true today as ever. They are - "it pays to advertise" and "hard work brings success". Three years ago Mr Anthony Billington and his wife, Alison, were quietly ringing up small sales in a typical friendly neighbourhood grocer's shop. But the firm they now operate, Harkington's Overalls and Brentwood Supply Co, already employs 30 people. In their grocers shop they discovered an important word - "service" and wanting to find an outlet for more service advertised in the Burnley Express for a wholesale business. They soon were in command of Harkington's Overalls operating from one room in Albert Street. They have been expanding ever since, first producing ladies nylon overalls which were sold to local agents. Today they offer a full service direct to industry, catering for all types of industrial garments and protective clothing. If they can't make it themselves they buy it and if possible, buy locally. They work closely with their workforce.

Brentwood Supply Co., formed a year ago also grows by leaps and bounds. On the mail order side handling products ranging from rugs to pinafore dresses and from candlewick items to plastic-coated steel shelves. Mr Billington himself goes out "on the road", working as a representative to get business and today well over 100 firms throughout the country are finding the Billington service saves time and money.