Members of a west Dorset club paid a visit to a vacuum cleaner factory to learn about the company and its history.

The members of Beaminster & Bridport Probus Club visited the Numatic International factory in Chard.

The visit was organised by club member Douglas Beazer in conjunction with the staff at Numatic.

The business was started in 1969 by Chris Duncan in a small garage in Crewkerne, producing vacuum cleaners and later expanding to larger premises in Beaminster in 1974.

Production of various cleaners expanded and encompassed the famous ‘Henry’ vacuum cleaner well known the world over.

In 1990 the company moved to Chard again expanding to accommodate new lines of production and a greater variety of cleaning appliances and other products, all being produced in Chard but being sent worldwide.

The visiting party was given a presentation about the company and its history including being shown through their museum of how the vacuum cleaner has progressed from its origins followed in the showroom by a display of the wide variety of equipment produced by Numatic International.

After this the party embarked on a guided tour of the factory where they were able to see at first hand the tremendous stages and wide variety of products being manufactured.

A spokesman for the club said: "It was so enlightening to view the manufacturing techniques used to produce these products and the vast quantities which are manufactured together with the wide variety of labour activities also employed.

"The staff were so very helpful in answering the visitors’ questions throughout every stage of the tour. The visitors were delighted to be able to thank Numatic International for their hospitality and the very informative tour."

The Club normally meets on the second Monday of the month at the Red Lion, Beaminster for coffee and the fourth Monday of the month at the Haddon House Hotel, West Bay for lunch. New members are always most welcome.