An Evesham business that has craved itself a niche in the DVD arena has seen swift progress since featuring on this page in November.

DVD-UK, which distributes an eclectic selection of films and music features, has raised a substantial sum and found strong demand.

"We've just acquired another 18 shows," says managing director, Sean Read, who set up the company after selling a chain of video shops.

The company fought off 'fierce competition' from the majors to acquire European sales and distribution rights to The Classic Artists Series - a collection showcasing the greatest legends in rock.

The story of each act is told by the artists and their contemporaries in candid, fully-authorised documentary programmes with rare archive footage, photos and music.

Series One launches next month with a two-disc set on Sixties super-group Cream. It features a two-hour programme, 111 minutes of extras, and a bonus CD.

DVD UK has a reputation as a specialist distributor with acts such as The Eagles, Santana, The Who, Paul Weller, Steve Harley and Kiss.

It has also made progress raising the £500,000 it was seeking. It raised £220,000 from the Advantage Early Growth fund and through backers found through Advantage Business Angels.

Now, the company wants the remaining £300,000.

It just signed a deal with back-catalogue specialists Slam Dunk for 200,000 units and has secured distribution deals through high street retailers and supermarkets to move 500,000 units.