A KIRKBY Lonsdale businessman has launched an anti-aging skin care range which sources its unique selling point from the Lake District.

His luxury Salix Alba day cream uses water from a Cartmel Valley spring, used since the 12 century, which contains a natural form of Salicin.

Paul Arnold, 52, hopes the anti-inflamatory agent, which is found in water filtered through willow bark, will prove a hit with customers seeking younger looking skin.

His new range, which launched this month, in Manchester, has been manufactured in Staveley and is set to be retailed at a price of £95 per 50ml.

Mr Arnold, who is originally from Ulverston, said: “We named the company Salix Alba because that is Latin for ‘white willow’. That is where the Salicin comes from.

“The water picks up the ingredient from the composite layers of willow underground in the Lake District.

“It is filtered through a subterranean aquified that was once a prehistoric white willow forest.

“It has been a long road to get our products on to the market and has taken four years. However, the feedback we have received so far has been great and we are in talks with major national retailers.

“We are proud of the product now. I feel we have got a world beater.”

His new skin care range, which features creams for women and men, also contains blackberry leaf extract, green tea and rosehip oil, and calcium and magnesium.

For more information visit: www.salixalbauk.com