A DISUSED office block is to undergo a £1m refurbishment to become the new headquarters of a North-East engineering firm.

Beaumont House in Beaumont Street, Darlington, is to be refurbished ahead of becoming the new base for Tompkins UK, a sub-sea engineering, technology and investment business.

Modus, a sub-sea construction subsidiary of Darlington based Tompkins UK, will also relocate to Beaumont House.

Niven Architects, based in Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, will carry out refurbishment of the building, which was formerly the base of RAC Insurance, but had been empty for some time.

Simon Crowe, director of Niven Architects, said: “We are delighted to have been invited to work on a project in such a prominent position in the town.

“It’s in an area where there are further plans for redevelopment.

The refurbishment of the Beaumont Building will, we hope, be a catalyst for transforming this important part of the town centre.

“There is more than £1m of work being carried out on the new headquarters for Tompkins and in this climate they must be congratulated for this significant investment, which is very encouraging.

“As the building works progress the people of Darlington will be able to watch the transformation.

“We really hope residents will like it and they will be able to see clearly what a local firm is capable of.”

The refurbishment is expected to be completed by Christmas.