Abstract: Apparatus for the production of hollow articles of thermoplastics material by a blowing process, comprising a hollow mould in which a preform blank is arranged to be expanded by the application of blowing pressure, the mould being formed in at least two parts with the mould parts being movable relative to one another, means supporting said mould parts, means for effective relative movement of the mould parts, and means for taking up the forces resulting from the blowing pressure, comprising a closed frame on which the mould parts are arranged and which comprises upper and lower tie members with side pieces extending therebetween to connect the tie members, the upper and lower tie members being arranged to lie in respective vertical planes which are spaced from one another, and the side pieces being orientated at an acute angle relative to the horizontal.