Following sales of £123.2m last year, Ilminster-based potato supplier Branston is celebrating success after breaking into the Sunday Times Grant Thornton Top Track 250 league table, which ranks Britain’s private mid-market growth companies in order of sales.

Rubbing shoulders with household names such as Aston Martin, Waterstones and David Lloyd Leisure, Branston is among the UK’s 250 rapidly growing companies and placed 233 in the table.

James Truscott, managing director at Branston, said: “We’ve experienced double-digit percentage growth in the last year, and that’s down to our fantastic team."

Over the last 18 months the company has invested more than £11 million in new machinery as well as opening a dedicated peeling facility to expand its range of products.

Mr Truscott said: "We’ve focused on better, more efficient handling and reducing waste, making the most of every part of the crop.

“We’ve also continued to forge closer relationships with our customers and to invest in insight to better understand consumer behaviour. This enables us to develop market-led strategies to innovate and grow their categories. It’s down to the dedication and expertise in the team that such impressive growth has been possible and why we’ve entered this prestigious league table for the first time.”

Other South West-based companies listed in the league table include yogurt maker Yeo Valley (positioned 75) and car dealer Helston Garages (positioned 11).