A £1.3 million investment will allow an award-winning men's grooming business founded by a Gloucestershire businessman to break into overseas markets.

Hawkins & Brimble, which supplies its products online and in major retailers across the UK, will use the funding to establish itself in USA, China, Australia and the Middle East.

The business also plans to use the funding to support the future development of new products which will be produced in the UK.

Entrepreneur Stephen Shortt (pictured), who has more than 25 years' experience in the health and beauty industry, founded Hawkins & Brimble in 2016.

By venturing into new international markets, the business is expected to increase its turnover from £3 million to £5 million in the next 12 months.

Mr Shortt, chief executive officer of Hawkins & Brimble, said: "I founded Hawkins & Brimble because there was a definite lack of affordable yet sophisticated products for this audience being stocked by national mainstream retailers.

"Following the success of the launch of the business in the UK, I saw fantastic potential in the global market and have been delighted to receive the backing of HSBC UK, including my relationship manager Joel Dunning, to help me achieve these goals. As a result, the company is set to show very impressive growth this year."

David Butler, HSBC UK business banking director for Bristol, Gloucestershire & Wiltshire, said: "As an innovative and hardworking entrepreneur, we're incredibly supportive of Stephen's ambitions to take his products worldwide and have created a tailored finance package which have enabled him to operate on this scale.

"This included setting up a separate banking facility in the USA to enable the business to grow internationally. We're looking forward to watching the brand continue to go from strength-to-strength as it expands globally."

Stocked in over 3,000 UK stores and inspired by vintage barbering rituals, Hawkins & Brimble has worked with barbers across the country to develop a sophisticated range of male grooming products made with natural ingredients, from beard oil to energising eye cream.

The funding package from HSBC UK was allocated from the bank's £550 million SME Fund which supports SMEs across Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.