WINDOW replacement firm Eston has won one of its biggest contracts.

The Middlesbrough firm has been awarded the contract from Wimpey Homes to renovate 120 windows at Wilton Castle, in Redcar, which is being transformed into luxury apartments.

The contract, for an undisclosed sum, is expected to take eight months to complete.

Lawrence Wall, managing director of Eston Replacement Windows, said: "This contract is one of our biggest jobs to date.

"The castle was previously owned by ICI and is a beautiful building.

"We are renovating most of the windows, but will have to manufacture some new windows because some of the originals have been bricked up.

"However, the windows we make will be exact copies of the originals, as this is a listed building."

The company was founded in 1979, but was bought by Mr Wall, with support from UK Steel Enterprise (UKSE) in 1990. His wife, Julie, is co-director.

The business now employs 23 staff and has a continuous training programme to ensure the skills of its workforce are maintained.

In recent months, the company has experienced enormous demand for its services as an increasing number of construction companies and local authorities renovate older buildings as an alternative to building from scratch. Mr Wall said: "We have a long-standing relationship with UK Steel Enterprise which helped with the finance when I bought the company, and then helped me acquire the freehold for the factory. The on-going support and advice has been absolutely vital to our growth."

Nick Johnson, regional executive for UKSE, said: "Eston has established itself in a specialised market and has gone from strength to strength.

"We are delighted to have played a part in their success and hope our relationship will continue as they expand further."

Wilton Castle was the former ICI social club. Wimpey Homes is converting the Grade II listed castle and stable block into 21 apartments, six flats and 18 houses.