A DEVELOPMENT agency formed in the wake of a devastating economic disaster for a North-East town celebrated its 20th birthday yesterday.

The Shildon and Sedgefield Development Agency (Sasda) marked the anniversary at Locomotion: National Railway Museum, in Shildon, County Durham.

The choice of venue could not have been more appropriate, as it was the demise of the Shildon Wagon Works, in 1984, that prompted the formation of the company.

Despite being set up to run for only three years, to cushion the blow of the railway wagon and repair works' closure and loss of 2,600 jobs, it is still going strong.

It has spent two decades helping 1,100 companies, handing out nearly £3m in financial support and helping to create 13,000 jobs.

With the remit of regenerating the local economy and trying to get back some of the jobs the area lost, using £1.6m from British Rail and European Union money, the company worked in partnership with the public sector.

It was able to access Government money, not available to local councils, to support company start-ups, assist businesses to expand and attract inward investment.

In 1994, it moved from the wagon works site to Newton Aycliffe, offering grants and expert advice to local firms.

In 2000, Sasda joined forces with Sedgefield Borough Council's economic development team to market their joint services under the Sedgefield Borough Business Service (SBBS) brand.

Councillor Bob Fleming, leader of Sedgefield council, said: "The council has a well established partnership with Sasda, which will continue to be a major part of our economic regeneration strategy for the whole of the borough."

Chairman Peter Fisk said Sasda was committed to continuing to help companies in Shildon, the Sedgefield borough and the wider North-East.

Read more about the Working for a Future campaign here.