THIRTY-FIVE jobs are to be created after council chiefs awarded grants worth more than £17,000.

Seven firms received funding from Darlington Borough Council's financial incentives panel.

A grant of £4,000 was awarded to Coats Crafts to assist with a warehouse expansion at Lingfield Estate.

Michael's Bakers, in West Auckland Road, and Niven and Niven architects also received economic development grants. Carpet Time and CG Fixings Limited were each offered marketing grants of £1,500 towards the design and production of promotional brochures and website development for their businesses at Morton Park.

Ernest Bennett and Co received an environmental improvement grant of £5,000. The grant will be used for building adaptations at its new factory at Teesside International Airport, where a further 12 jobs will be created.

H Taylor and Sons were offered a £2,000 boost towards security improvements at its bakery in Green Street.

David Lyonette, the council's cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: "These grants will help to create new jobs in Darling-ton.

"The council has a range of grant assistance to offer local businesses who are planning significant capital investment and increasing their workforce."