COMPANIES working on the River Tyne are hoping to make waves at a marine and offshore sector exhibition next week.

The firms will join together under the Tyne First banner at the Seatrade International Maritime Convention at ExCel in London's Docklands, taking place from Tuesday until Thursday.

As well as marketing their products and services, they will be representing the marine engineering and offshore technology sector based on and around the River Tyne.

Earlier this summer, a brand was launched to market the Tyne's marine engineering and offshore sector as a global centre of excellence.

Tyne First will promote the broad range of engineering excellence and technological expertise based on and around the river.

The brand has been developed by the Jobs on the Riverside Project, a pioneering initiative working to support the continued growth of the sector.

It also aims to change perceptions within the region - positively profiling it as a modern and advanced industry with a good future.