BEHIND metal shutters, in a top-secret location close to Darlington, the future of transport - and possibly a jobs lifeline for the North-East - is taking shape.

David Royle, who models himself on James Bond's Q character, has spent the past 15 years building an invention which could change the face of travel, and bring up to 200 jobs to the region.

As a vintage car restorer, he has drawn on his skills and equipment to design the Roylecraft, a vehicle which can travel on land and water.

Mr Royle, who employs 16 people at the factory, has just secured a contract for four Roylecraft water buses from a secret bidder. He said potential orders were coming in worth as much as £100m, which means he may have to employ up to 200 people at the factory.

The amphibious water bus seats up to 32 people and can travel at speeds of up to 70mph on land and 35mph on water.

Interest in the product has come from as far afield as Australia, Japan and Disneyland in America.

Testing has been taking place on a privately-owned lake near Staindrop, County Durham, and the buses will be launched for trials soon.

Mr Royle, whose vintage car business is based at Staindrop, County Durham, said: "Certainly our target is to create 100 jobs - but if capital is available, it could be up to 200 jobs within the next five to six years. The world market for it has been estimated at around £300m per year.

"I will stay in the North-East because there is a skilled workforce here and I am hoping to take people on from the former Blue Circle cement works, and Glaxo- SmithKline, and the like.

"There is huge potential in this market - the list is endless. So many people have been in touch. The vehicle could be used for flood rescue, the RNLI, ocean- ography, mobile home boats, island hopping, and so on."

Roylecrafts are the first land and water-based vehicles in the world to incorporate the technology of having retractable wheels, and the ability to travel at motorway speeds.

The vehicles cost from £200,000 to £400,000, depending on the size and specifications, and range from 22ft to the bus at 38ft.