A County Durham firm is set to break into the Middle East export market.

CADserve, one of the UK's leading innovators in computer-aided engineering, travelled to Tehran to break into markets in Iran.

The Newton Aycliffe-based firm used Trade Partners UK's Your Passport to Export Success programme to set up links overseas.

Through the programme, the company received local Iranian market research and produced promotional leaflets as well as exhibition display panels.

Fash Daryaie, managing director at CADserve, which supplies CADcam software and training to the design, manufacturing and offshore industries, said: "The leads identified at the exhibition were across a wide range of industries.

"These included automotive, aerospace, manufacturing and plant design, which clearly highlights there is a gap in the market for CAD software.

"We have been actively following up a large number of these leads and have established valuable contacts within the distribution network."