Diet pills produced by a Kent firm are to go on sale in Harrods.

The 'top people's store' is to stock Raspberry Ketone, made by Ashford-based Forza supplements, from November.

The company's annual turnover recently rocketed to £4 million and the capsules are also to be sold in branches of Boots and Superdrug.

Managing director Lee Smith, 35, who is opening a new technology centre in April, has launched a fresh recruitment drive for a number of staff.

He said: "In Kent, we can draw on a lot of talent with great experience in the chemicals industry following the closure of the Pfizer research and development centre in Sandwich."

Lee said that recent controversies surrounding illegal, unlicensed pills sold online from abroad have placed an emphasis on British manufacturers' quality control.

He said: "That is why getting into Boots, Superdrug and Harrods is so important to us.

"Shoppers know that the brands they sell can be trusted."

Meanwhile The Apprentice star, Luisa Zissman is to appear to speak to shoppers in Boots stores across Kent on behalf of Forza.

She says the capsules were very effective in helping her to lose weight while she starts the bakery business she pitched to Lord Sugar in the TV show.

She said: "Like a lot of women I have body issues. I'm a snacker at heart so I usually pick at anything that's around me. But when I take Forza Raspberry Ketone in the morning and afternoon, my snacking habits are curbed."

Forza has no fixed number for new staff, but is advertising for roles from sales executives to graphic designers and web designers.

See www.forzasupplements.co.uk