YORK-based shoe retailer Pavers has been praised by deputy Prime Minister in light of its expansion in India.

The family run firm, which has its headquarters at Northminster Business park, in Upper Poppleton, is set to invest £10 million in India, increasing its number of stores from 35 to 100.

The news follows on from Pavers becoming the first foreign single brand retailer to be allowed to set up wholly owned stores in India in 2012.

Deputy PM Nick Clegg said: "The opportunities presented by the Indian retail and food and drink sectors are obvious. Travel around India and you’ll see more and more British products appearing on the shelves of India’s grocery stores.

"With more UK companies eager to repeat that success, this is fantastic news for both our economies.

"I am delighted to see British companies expanding, and I am glad to see the delegation I am leading helping our great retail sector to make even greater inroads and launching iconic brands globally."

The retail sector in India is currently worth £309bn, with growth of 25 per cent a year expected by 2016.

Pavers, which is listed on Europe’s Forum 500 list of the UK’s fast growing and most profitable retailers, started selling its shoes in India in April 2008 when it set up a joint venture called Pavers England with London-based Indian entrepreneur Ravi Mehotra's billion-dollar Foresight Group.

Pavers England put a multi million pound investment proposal to the Indian government, which was approved in November 2012 after six months' deliberation.