An iconic bathroom brand which owes much of its success to Barrhead is celebrating its 200th anniversary.

Armitage Shanks has produced millions of items for homes and public places over the last two centuries.

However, the famous name only came into existence in 1969, following a merger between Staffordshire-based Armitage Ware Limited Company and the old Barrhead sanitaryware business Shanks Holdings Limited.

Founded in the mid-19th century by John Shanks, the Shanks Holdings Limited grew to become a thriving sanitaryware business at the forefront of innovation and design.

Not only did the firm provide employment for those who lived in the area, it also played a significant part in shaping the social and economic life of the town.

To mark the milestone, bosses at Armitage Shanks’ parent company, Ideal Standard, have launched a campaign which includes a website celebrating the brand’s history.

There is also a quiz to test visitors’ knowledge of all things plumbing.

Armitage Shanks has also released a free-to-download smartphone app, called Beats 200, enabling plumbers and Armitage Shanks fans alike to mix their own piece of music for fun.

Katie Cope, director at Armitage Shanks, told the Barrhead News: “Over the last two centuries, Armitage Shanks has become synonymous with quality bathroom design for homes and businesses across the UK.

“It is also the only remaining major scale manufacturing plant to continue producing ceramic bathroom products in the UK.

“We wanted to create a feel-good celebration atmosphere around the brand, which is looking towards the future, as well as celebrating the past.

“We’re delighted to celebrate this historic milestone, creating a platform for our brand to take water intelligence to the next level.”

Armitage Shanks worked with music production collaborative DJ Molecules to create a track generated from recordings of sample sounds in the bathroom and of plumbers going about their job.

The song features a flushing toilet, dripping tap and even the sound of a pipe being cut.

Aspiring DJs can also submit their tracks via the app to be entered into a competition to win a £5,000 prize – and the 10 most popular tracks will be published on a limited edition Beats 200 celebratory vinyl album.

The app can be downloaded at www.celebrate200.co.uk/beats/