A MARINE firm has secured a contract to dispose of North Sea offshore platforms as it looks to create about 200 jobs.

Able UK will remove four structures from the Shell operated Brent Field.

The company says it will take three platform topsides and a 138-metre steel platform jacket.

The structures will be moved more than 100 miles from the Brent Field, near the Shetland Islands, to Able's Seaton Port at the mouth of the River Tees, near Middlesbrough.

The work comes as Able plans to support about 200 new jobs by building one of Europe's heaviest load bearing quays at Seaton Port.

Andrew Jacques, Able UK's managing director, said: “This six-year contract will see the deployment of the latest techniques and technologies in the recycling of these materials.

“Seaton Port is already a superb facility and will see further investment in a load bearing quay and infrastructure to receive structures.

“This will enable the topsides and jackets to be shipped to the new quay for dismantling.”