THREE North-East companies have been recognised as being among the fastest-growing in their sectors.

Expansion at Enigma Interactive earned the Newcastle company the title of highest ranking regional firm in the Deloitte 2003 European Technology Fast 500 table.

Enigma's 297th place was followed by fellow Newcastle firm NonLinear Dynamics - 341 - and 432nd placed Watersons, a Durham IT software consultancy.

The Fast 500 survey looks at public and private technology companies in 21 European countries.

Paul Williamson, of Deloitte's Newcastle office, said: "Competition for places in the Fast 500 programme is getting increasingly stiff, with nominations for 2003 reaching an all-time high and companies needing to achieve over 200 per cent year-on-year growth just to make the list.

"Having three local firms featured in the Fast 500 is good news for both the North-East technology business community and the region in general."