THE PRESIDENT of Cleveland Bridge has said its Saudi Arabian owners have pump-ed "million upon millions" of pounds into the company.

Jon Dale, who was appointed president earlier this year, said Al Rushaid was backing it to the hilt and was confident of winning more contracts before work ran out in July.

The Darlington company is one of the world's most famous bridge builders and lists Australia's Sydney harbour bridge, the Forth road bridge and the Victoria Falls bridge in Zimbabwe among its achievements.

It was badly hit by a dispute with Multiplex, the Australian main contractor working on the Wembley stadium project.

After building and raising the magnificent, and technically highly demanding, arch on the project, Cleveland pulled out claiming Multiplex had failed to provide all the designs it needed to do its work properly.

More than 300 workers were made redundant and the level of shop floor workers in Darlington dropped to its lowest level in four decades.

A court case will take place later this year but Cleveland has already won five adjudications against Multiplex.

"It is this enormous corporation against little Cleveland Bridge," said Mr Dale. "But Al Rushaid has committed itself to investing in the court case against Multiplex.

"Al Rushaid is quite prepared to back this company to the hilt and it is a fantastic show of confidence. It is probably the largest oil and service company in the Middle East."

The Al Rushaid Group, Saudi's ninth largest company, also owns Whessoe Oil and Gas in Darlington and Dorman Long Technologies.

Mr Dale is managing director of Whessoe and has taken it from having just £1m of work in 2001 to being on course to turn over £100m this year. It is hoped he can help Cleveland Bridge enjoy similar success.

Pictured: Jon Dale, president - D&S: