DUVETS to curtains company Character World has opened two offices in China.

The Handforth, Cheshire-based firm has taken on 16 staff across offices in Guangzhou and Hangzhou. They will focus on quality control, order tracking and product sourcing.

Character World buys from China as well as Turkey, Portugal, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

It imports towels and beanbags, as well as bedding and curtains, featuring children's characters such as The Simpsons, Spiderman, Roary the Racing Car, High School Musical, Thomas the Tank Engine and Wall-E. Character World supplies retailers and mail order chains including Littlewoods, Argos, Debenhams and Woolworths.

The firm's move into China mirrors a similar development in Pakistan in 2006, when it opened two offices.

Character World was established in 1998 by Tommy Schwieger, who sold his stake to London private equty firm RJD Partners earlier this year in a deal which valued his business at £20m. His sons Danny and Mark remain as directors. The firm employs more than 40 people and expects turnover to be £21m this financial year.

Danny Schweiger said: "All four of the international offices ensure our factories meet the strict standards that customers and licensors expect." Tweet