A fast-growing Perthshire business is toasting a near £1 million investment boost.

And award-winning raw dog food operation Bella and Duke has handed Perth a vote of confidence by creating a UK distribution centre for their bespoke pet food packages on the city’s North Muirton Industrial Estate.

The company, founded by dog lovers Mark Scott, Tony Ottley and Michael Scully previously secured £300,000 seed investment in May, after winning a £50,000 cash injection from the 2017 Scottish EDGE competition.

With demand for their raw dog food products enjoying a 500 per cent hike in the past year, the directors have taken on the former Hermes courier depot in Arran Road.

Mr Scott said: “There was a tempting option to relocate to Livingston but we made a conscious decision to stay loyal to Perthshire, where the business began last year.

“Demand for our products is spiralling and we now have 17 members of staff, plus advice and guidance from a vet and a nutritionist who were also among our original investors.

“Our Blairgowrie office remains the company’s customer service hub and the 10,000 square feet unit in Perth will be our core distribution centre for customers in the UK, including Northern Ireland.”

Mr Ottley (53) added: “The second round of investment has proved very successful, with current and new backers buying into our vision to enhance the health of pets across the country.

“The £920,000 generated is a huge vote of confidence in our mission to get pets off processed foods and raise awareness of the benefits of a varied and nutritious raw food diet.”

The directors and near neighbours in Murthly began to explore the benefits of raw food diets for pets rather than processed food after losing much-loved dogs to cancer.

Mr Scott added: “It was heart-breaking because, like so many pet owners, we regarded golden retriever Barney and collie Morph as part of the family.

“We try to look after our own health and began to question what we were feeding our dogs.

“After all, you wouldn’t dream of eating burgers and processed food every day of the week. So why treat your dogs that way?

“Given the rate of expansion we are enjoying, it is clear more and more pet owners around the country are being won over to the benefits of raw and unprocessed food for their dogs.”