A COUNTY Durham skills development company looks set to expand into two new continents after setting up distributor networks in Australia and South Africa.

Changes International, based in Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham, develops motivational skills in businesses and organisations by using a series of card games.

It already works with groups across the UK but is now set to expand into new markets after recent trade visits to Australia and South Africa.

The small business has set up distributor networks in both countries, which it hopes will lead to the technique becoming a worldwide phenomenon.

Jane Mardon and her partner Floor Petersen came across the training technique in the Netherlands and now own the distribution and exclusive training rights for three of the games in Australia and South Africa, which is the UK's main trade investment partner country.

Ms Mardon - who was helped with the visit by UK Trade and Investment - said that putting effort into research before going out to the country was vital

Jeff Thompson, an advisor at UK Trade and Investment, who has worked with the company, said: "Changes International is a great example of how you don't actually need to go abroad with an item in your hand to get involved in exports. It is just as valid to export a service or concept."