BOSSES of a packaging company whose North-East plant was destroyed by fire will hold crisis talks with council officers today.

Sedgefield Borough Council leaders have pledged to back Northern Packaging Distributors as it fights back after a blaze ripped through its Newton Aycliffe base last Monday.

It is hoped that the factory, which employs 40 people, will be up and running as soon as possible.

Members of Sedgefield Borough Business Services will meet with the company today to discuss what can be done to safeguard its future.

Andrew Quain, manager of Sedgefield Business Services, said yesterday: "We will be meeting with the directors in the morning to see what we can do to help. We will be working closely with them to find out what their requirements are and what we can do to help them meet them."

The fire started last Monday at about 5.15pm after staff left the building.

At the height of the blaze, there were more than 40 firefighters battling the flames and thick black smoke could be seen 30 miles away.

Neighbouring units had to be evacuated and police from Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor were drafted in to control traffic and ensure crowds' safety. Early signs are that the blaze was not suspicious.