A high-end watch company founded by two fashion graduates has grown into a global brand with support from a government scheme. 

London College of Fashion graduates Lesa Bennett, 32, of South Woodford and Jemma Fennings, 31, from Chelmsford, created the luxury brand Olivia Burton in 2011. 

The distinctive vintage products stocked at Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and John Lewis, are now being exported to 11 countries worldwide after the pair signed up to 'Passport to Export'. 

The 12-month UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) programme, helps inexperienced exporters grow their business overseas through workshops with expert trainers in international business.  

Following the workshops, the pair secured a grant enabling them to exhibit their watches at an international tradeshow in Paris in January 2013 and 2014 - and have now expanded to America.

Ms Bennett, said: "Through attending Who’s Next, not only were we able to cement an ongoing relationship with Anthropologie - a large US retailer with eight stores located throughout the Europe - but we also secured a large US online retailer. 

"We had thought the US was temporarily out of reach for us but by attending the exhibition we were able to secure US clients without having to undertake any expensive trips to the States.

"The last couple of years have been amazing for Olivia Burton.  We’ve been able to double our workforce and we’re now exploring additional foreign markets, including Taiwan and Japan through UKTI’s Export Marketing Research Scheme."

The award-winning designers have seen their international sales increase by more than £440,000 in the last 18 months, and are expecting to turnover £3.5m in revenue this year.