In a statement in its interim report (September 19 2003), the Group said: “Existing and impending legislation in North America and parts of Europe clearly demonstrates that drycleaning will have to rely increasingly on environmentally acceptable processes and GreenEarth will provide us with a first-to-market advantage”

Speaking later to LCN, group technical director, Martin Gregson confirmed that at the end of the two year period, GreenEarth would be the only solvent used in the Group’s shops.

But when asked whether perc would be used at the central processing unit, he said that it would probably be kept there for specialist processes.

As to licences for other UK or Irish cleaners wishing to use GreenEarth, he said it was too early to say what the exact terms would be or what fee would be charged.