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A Manchester-based start-up behind a range of innovative pillows and matresses has smashed its Kickstarter target of £10,000.

Levitex launched a Kickstarter campaign earlier this month to win backing from the public and has already achieved international support, with more than 360 worldwide backers contributing to a fundraising total that stands at more than £20,000.

The company, based at Manchester Science Park, has created a range of sleep products with an innovation in foam technology that tackles posture, pressure and proprioception to provide ‘the optimum conditions’ for rest and recuperation.

The products are used by Tom Curry and Steve Diamond from Sale Sharks Rugby Club and first-team players from Preston North End FC alongside Paralympic gold medalist Richard Whitehead, Olympic gold medalist rower Will Satch, Commonwealth & European Champion swimmer Tom Hamer, professional track cyclist Ed Clancy, 2017 Invictus Games Captain, Bernie Broad and former London Wasps star Peter Scrivener.

Levitex founder James Leinhardt has developed the products after spending several years working with NHS patients, where he realised that most commonly used mattresses can exacerbate painful conditions.

Taking an evidence-based approach to product development, James said Levitex pillows and mattresses have also been proven to help improve posture following clinical trials with the University of Salford.

“We are thrilled with the results of the Kickstarter campaign so far,” said James.

“It has landed really well with people – including many people in different countries all over the world – and we’re beginning to see some real traction for the range of products we’ve made available so far.