The North-East environmental business sector continues to grow rapidly, according to figures just released.

Researchers for the Environmental Industries Federation (EIF), which is based in Newburn, Newcastle, and represents businesses throughout the region, found a 33 per cent growth last year.

The EIF first carried out a comprehensive survey of the sector in 2000 and has repeated the exercise annually.

According to the latest figures, despite 30 companies ceasing to trade or offer environmental services, overall turnover was up by a third, equating to £693.25m of additional business.

EIF chairman Pam Jose said: "We always knew the environmental sector was making a sig-nificant contribution to the North-East economy and that its potential was to make an even greater contribution, but this survey shows incredible growth."

According to the survey, there are 843 companies in the sector employing 18,525 workers.

Published: 08/06/2004