A HARROGATE-based water company has announced another year of double-digit growth.

Harrogate Spring has cemented its position as the UK's number one out-of-home bottled water brand with sales surging by more than 11 per cent - three times the market growth for plain bottled water in the UK.

The company has seen gains in a number of key strategic areas, including the grocery and food service sectors, has continued strong growth in export and travel markets and has secured greater demand for premium glass products in hospitality.

It has also been stronger demand for its Thirsty Planet ethical brand, raising £2.3 million since its launch in 2007 to support the work of independent British charity Pump Aid, which provides clean water and improved sanitation for rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa.

Sales and marketing director Rob Pickering said: "Demand for bottled water is still showing strong growth, but our trajectory is three times that of the market and we have cemented our position as the leading out-of-home bottled water brand.

"The business switched to using more than 50 per cent UK-sourced recycled content in PET bottles in 2018 and this commitment to sustainability and leadership in environmental packaging has been a key driver in the marketplace.

"Becoming the official water of the Royal Albert Hall has underlined our premium positioning as the oldest and original British bottled water brand and presents exceptional new opportunities for brand exposure."

Harrogate Spring commands 19 per cent of the out-of-home market for still bottled water, more than twice that of its nearest competitor.

Its glass sales showed growth of 40 per cent, buoyed by on-trade demand.

CEO James Cain OBE said: "Investment in state-of-the-art facilities to establish a centre of excellence in Harrogate has been crucial to our growth strategy, allowing our family-owned business to compete with multi-nationals in a crowded marketplace.

"Success does not come easily and it's a huge testament to our team and the hard work of everybody across the business.

In addition to the Royal Albert Hall, Harrogate Spring is the official water of Ascot racecourse, Royal Ascot, England and GB Hockey and Yorkshire Cricket.

It is also a recycling partner of Keep Britain Tidy.