THE champagne flowed as Europe’s largest re-sellers of medical equipment, the Malmesbury based Hilditch Group celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Founded in 1990 by Mike and Nicky Hilditch, the rapidly growing firm today has customers all over the world and has opened offices in Spain and Germany.

They saw an opening in the world health market when they realised that potentially life-saving equipment from hospitals and centres run by NHS trusts, private healthcare groups and others could be re-sold abroad when they were considered surplus to requirements.

Today Hilditch represents the interests of over 90 per cent of all acute NHS Trusts and the BMI, Spire Healthcare and Nuffield Groups for the sale or disposal of their unwanted medical equipment.

Over the years the company has been involved in the clearance and sale of assets of more than 80 major hospital sites, which represents most of the UK’s PFI projects.

It has also developed the market by providing “a highly efficient and professional service, which maximises the potential returns for our client.”

Its birthday bash took place at Grade II listed Barnsley House Hotel, Cirencester where the guests included Malmesbury town councillor and former mayor Ray Sanderson along with and a host of past and present customers.

Among them was Albert Maslin of Westend Catering who started working at Hilditch as a porter at the age of 16 before setting up his own successful business and who has been attending Hilditch auctions for many years.

Former Hilditch employee Lean Ainscough said: “We had a fantastic day and it was so lovely to be able to catch up with so many old faces and to meet such a growing team.”