ENGINEERING firm Amec has made a good start to the year, its chief executive announced yesterday.

The group, which has its industrial headquarters in Darlington, where it employs about 500 staff, said its order book stands at £3.4bn, up from £2.7bn in April last year.

Chief executive Samir Brikho said: “Amec has made a good start to the year and remains on track to deliver another year of improved performance.

We continue to win major project work and view the future with measured confidence.

“Despite the limited impact of project deferrals and cancellations, our order book continues to grow.”

Average net cash is expected to be £670m for this year before the impact of acquisitions Amec expects to announce interim results for the six months ending June 30 on August 27.

The company has recently been awarded a two-year contract extension by BG International Ltd.

The contract covers engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning and project management services for BG Group’s UK assets in the North Sea.

The extension to December 2010 follows the successful delivery of an existing three year contract.