Dickinson Dees has agreed a five-year deal to work with the newly-formed Business Link North-East (BLNE) organisation.

The deal, which will see the Newcastle firm provide advice and legal guidance, comes after Dickinson Dees played a central role in the creation of BLNE, a business support organisation.

BLNE was formed last month when four regional business support bodies merged into one, to provide services to businesses and entrepreneurs in the North-East.

The new organisation, based in Seaham, east Durham, aims to work with more than 36,000 customers, support about 4,000 business start-ups and encourage thousands of people into work, transforming the North-East economy during the next ten years.

Dickinson Dees, which oversaw more than £7bn of deals last year, described the contract with BLNE as a major coup for the firm, and will see close interaction between the two, with Dickinson Dees' Kudos legal advisory division playing a key role.

Neil Warwick, partner at the law firm, which employs about 800 people at its offices in Newcastle and Stockton, said: "This was a unique transaction, the first of its kind in this sector.

"We dealt with all aspects of the creation of Business Link North-East, including the four-way entity merger, all employment law, pension schemes, property issues and multiple European funding arrangements.

"Dickinson Dees will also be working very closely with BLNE because of Kudos, our legal advisory service, which is designed exclusively for growing businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups.

"There will be a strong synergy between us."

Alastair MacColl, chief executive of BLNE, said: "The work and advice from Dickinson Dees has been integral to managing a smooth transition into Business Link North-East, and I am delighted that we are able to continue to work together during the next five years."