A COMPANY founded by a Trowbridge entrepreneur has fought off opposition from major UK businesses and is now in with a chance of becoming a major supplier for Marks & Spencer.

Protomax Plastics, based in Frome and run by Nick Stillwell, recycles waste plastics and turns it into boards used in construction.

Mr Stillwell and his team of six are celebrating after a victory in a national competition at the Ecobuild & M&S Big Innovation Pitch 2017 in London.

Protomax Plastics with its Storm Board™ product, a sustainable alternative to plywood produced from mixed waste plastics, was joint winner with global firms Arup and Airedale.

Mr Stillwell said: “We didn’t expect to win at all but we’re delighted and it's a real coup for us, for the whole of the south west.

"We’re a team of seven working in a shed but our idea was so different because no one else was talking about recycling and it seems to have captured the imagination of M&S.

“Much plywood is used for temporary works such as hoardings and needs to be clad in costly PVC and paint before ending life in landfill.

“We were really up against the big boys but the Ecobuild competition was a tremendous opportunity for us to showcase our work and products.”

The firm will now go forward into discussions with M&S, with the opportunity to become one of its suppliers.

Protomax Plastics has been established in Frome for almost five years and has been chosen by Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud to be one of his Green Heroes at the Grand Designs Live exhibitions for the past two years.