A HIGH-level maintenance and building repair firm has won new North-East contracts worth £40,000.

The three contracts have been awarded to Darlington based Stone Technical Services, which has become a leading national company in its sector.

It has been appointed to carry out a major shutdown of the chimney stacks at organic waste company SRM in Sunderland.

In North Tyneside, Stone has won the contract to install lightning protection at Longbenton Community College's new campus.

In Berwick-upon-Tweed, Stone's specialists will carry out general high level repairs and lightning protection installation at the Swan Sports Centre.

The contracts come a month after Stone was appointed to work alongside English Heritage in London on the first significant repairs since the 19th Century to Westminster Abbey's Chapter House.

The company, which employs 24 people at its headquarters in Kellaw Road and five at its South-East office in Pinner, Middlesex, has a number of other high-profile clients including Selfridges in Oxford Street, London, and St Paul's Cathedral.

Managing director, Dave Stone, who started the business in 1998 with his brother Grahame, said: "Our reputation as leaders in the field of high level maintenances and lightning conductor installation means that we are continually receiving new contracts which are allowing us to grow our operation in Darlington.

"In addition we are now in talks about launching another regional office to add to our London-based premises."

The company plans to take on more staff during 2009 and increase its £2million turnover by 25per cent.