A FAMILY firm that took corner shop handiness into the centre of Middlesbrough is celebrating 30 years in business.

Castlegate Electrics, a home and lighting specialist, still operates to the same principles of "if we haven't got it, we can get it" on which it was established in the mid-1970s.

For the past 18 years, the shop has been a mainstay of the Dundas shopping mall, and is one of the shopping centre's longest surviving outlets.

Founded by Eric Boal at Castlegate, in Stockton - from where it takes its name - the shop sells everything electrical, from switches and sockets to vacuum and washing machines spares, to shavers, hair care, irons and all manner of lighting.

Today, the business is run by Eric's son, Colin, who said: "Expanding to a larger shop in Middlesbrough gave us great-er floor area to display and a warehouse for more stock."

While Castlegate Electrics still has a shop in Stockton, the Dundas shop is its flagship.

Mr Boal said: "We are proof that traditional values of service and a willingness to go that extra mile to give customers what they need, no matter how small or inexpensive, can help a small family business compete with national chain stores."