A COMPANY that helps people with physical and mental disabilities into work has celebrated its 60th anniversary.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Spennymoor, Councillor John Culine and his wife Davinia, helped the Remploy plant, on Merrington Lane Industrial Estate, Spennymoor, mark the milestone on Monday.

They joined worker Iris Pickford - who is about to retire after 34 years with the company - to hoist a flag marking the anniversary.

Remploy was established as part of a network of factories throughout the UK to employ ex-servicemen and women injured in the Second World War.

Nationally, it helps thousands of people into work at its own sites or through training and other organisations.

The Spennymoor plant produces goods from divan beds for retailers to electrical assemblies for road signs.

Coun Culine said: "As a town, we continually strive to raise awareness of disability, and so we share Remploy's aims and objectives.

"Over its 60-year history, Remploy has evolved into a very special company and its workers here in Spennymoor are proof of that."