YOU might not know it, but you will see dozens of products made by this company every day.

Or, at least, they will see you - because Big Brother is watching in the sleepy village of Appleton Thorn.

Arley Road is the headquarters of one of the leading CCTV specialists in the country.

And from buses to trains and planes to town centres, an AD group product will accompany you during your day.

Having started less than 10 years ago with 25 employees, the company now has offices in countries as varied as Singapore, South Africa, Australia and Germany and made £20 million profit last year.

It employs more than 600 people worldwide and is set to move to a new HQ in Daresbury Park later this year.

The Warrington Guardian took a trip to its converted barn HQ to chat to Adam Wiseberg, group director, and lift the lid on this little known company.

Since the company was born, it now has arms working in all sorts of industry.

Innovations have included a digital CCTV package that downloads information instantly; cameras that can be used to track problems on aircraft and cameras can now be used by emergency service crews too.

And breaking new ground is never far away.

Mr Wiseberg said: "We are working all the time.

"But one thing that might be possible is gait recognition (the way people walk).

"With hoodies and baseball caps, people think they can escape detection, but in the medium or long term this is the next goal.

"It has got some tremendous potential implications if they can deliver it."

He also explained that the UK was not only at the cutting edge when it comes to the use of CCTV - but also in its use.

"We have a much larger number than in other countries," Mr Wiseberg added.

"While it would be impossible not to see one of our products in day-to-day life in the UK, you could go days in France without seeing one.

"But it is changing."

Indeed the company has just been out to Holland to see the success of cameras on public transport there. And he believes AD is at the heart of the CCTV popularity in the UK.

Mr Wiseberg said: "The powers that be have bought into it, but I am sure it has been strongly influenced by the fact we are a UK company."

gdunning@guardiangrp.co.uk