ABOUT 30 jobs are to be created as an international business expands its headquarters in the North-East.

Underwater engineering firm CTC Marine Projects is working with Darlington Borough Council to build offices in the town centre.

The marine trenching contractor, which operates in the oil and gas, telecommunications, utilities and military markets, employs 130 staff at its offices in Coniscliffe Road.

But the proposed move to Beaumont Street will allow CTC to expand its Darlington workforce to about 160. The company also has a base at Teesport, in Middlesbrough, and offices in London and Singapore.

The council's cabinet is due to meet on Tuesday, October 16, to discuss the proposal to lease council-owned land at the Beaumont Street car park to CTC to allow for the construction of the new offices.

Although CTC Marine Projects does not wish to buy the land, it has undertaken that upon completion of the office building, which will be built to its specifications, it will enter into a lease agreement.

Managing director Tony Inglis said: "CTC is delighted to be part of the ongoing development in Darlington, both in terms of supporting employment growth and in supplying a high-quality office building that will complement and enhance development of the town centre."

The Beaumont Street site had previously been part of a plan by Tesco to create a hypermarket, flats and a new town hall. But the council dropped the proposal after widespread criticism.

Since then, discussions have been continuing on how the Feethams/ Beaumont Street site can be best developed.

The Feethams Working Group, made up of representatives from the public, private and community sector, has supported the CTC plan.

Council leader John Willliams said: "CTC's plans present us with a wonderful opportunity to kick-start the regeneration of this part of the town centre, which has long been our ambition."