COMMUNICATIONS specialist Russell Telecom has reported £100,000 worth of orders, following the firm's expansion in to premises in Gateshead last month.

The company said it had secured 23 contracts since the £1m move to the Watermark development in Gateshead.

The company, which celebrated its 20th anniversary earlier this year, supplies and installs telecommunications solutions to small and medium size businesses.

The premises feature a £35,000 demonstration and training centre, thought to be the largest of its kind in the region. The firm hopes its expansion plans will see turnover rise to £4m by next year.

Managing director Kelvyn Gracie said the firm would be taking on new staff to cope with the growth in business.

He said: "We are now in an even stronger position to boost our share of the market and continue expanding and attracting new business."