A YEADON-based surface coatings firm has invested £35,000 in a new research laboratory.

Austin Hayes has opened its research laboratory at its Carlton Works site, to support the company's continued expansion.

The cash will also help provide on-site technical support to the firm's coating application and inspection team. New pieces of equipment will be added to the site over the next few months, under the investment plans.

Austin Hayes, which works on the refurbishment of ammunition containers, believe this investment will improve their ability to compete in the future, as it aims to compete in an increasingly competitive market.

Julie Bickerdyke, managing director of Austin Hayes, said the investment in the firm's laboratory is a key move in its continued expansion plans.

She said: "The new lab will appeal to our existing and new customers.

"We believe the investment is one of our greatest steps forward for our company development, putting us in a very strong position for planned future growth."

The new laboratory features professional research facilities and instruments and will be used to help the company's Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) research project run by student Julia Duan.

KTP is a part government-funded programme to encourage collaboration between businesses and universities in the UK.

The programme is funded by some 17 public sector organisations, and led by the Technology Strategy Board, an executive Non-Departmental Public Body reporting to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Austin Hayes' KTP team includes members of Leeds University's chemistry department and Innovate UK, an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills.

Julia has been with the company since 2014 to research and develop improvements for the firm's production of epoxy paint systems, which include ones for garage floors.

She has written a scientific paper on her work at Austin Hayes which she will be presenting at the Marine Maintenance World Expo in Amsterdam in June.

Tonia Parris, technical director of Austin Hayes and KTP project supervisor, said: "The collaboration between university academia research laboratory and company lab will be a feature of the project."

Austin Hayes has worked in industries including global defence, nuclear energy, gas and oil and renewable source and its client base includes the Ministry of Defence.

Austin Hayes has worked primarily for the engineering and defence sector since its formation in 1953. Founder Ronald Austin Hayes originally worked providing seat covers for military vehicles. His firm also refurbished helmets as part of its work.

The firm includes 101 employees and has a turnover of £6.5 million.