An Ashford-based diet supplements firm has seen a seven-fold increase in sales after a former Emmerdale actress backed their products.

Roxanne Pallett, who played the role of Jo Sugden in the ITV soap, recently said she had lost a stone by taking raspberry diet pills from Forza Supplements, at Javelin Enterprise Park in Javelin Way.

Roxanne, 30, revealed how she used the pills ahead of a stage tour with the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

She said: "It's something you take once a day to increase your fat breakdown and, because it's raspberries, it's natural. If you can find something that has that natural ability to speed up your metabolism, that's safe and works, that's great."

Managing director Lee Smith said: ""All our supplements are made with completely natural ingredients. There is no doubt that women feel reassured if they see a celebrity successfully using a brand."

Prices start at £15. Forza Supplements was established by Lee Smith in 2007.