A TIMBER company is bringing its celebratory roadshow to York as the firm marks 175 years in business.

Howarth Timber’s York branch, in Leeman Road, will welcome the company’s national 175 Roadshow tomorrow.

The company is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year and to mark the milestone, it has devised a roadshow which is travelling the length and breadth of the country.

One of the day’s highlights looks set to be the Jack Challenge competition, which gives people the chance to win £5,000 by testing their speed at cutting through a piece of wood, with the quickest from each branch heat then entered into the grand final at Howarth Timber’s 175 Trade Day later in the year.

Nicholas Howarth, managing director of Howarth Timber, said: “Our customers have been integral to our success over the past 175 years so it’s important that we give something back to them. These roadshows are designed to do just that and we’re confident that the local community in York will have a fantastic day.”

Now the UK’s largest privately-owned timber company, Howarth Timber’s origins can be traced back to 1840 when it commenced trading as Hudson & Co.