TWO North-East Internet companies are forming a marketing partnership they claim will change the region's online landscape.

Business Internet service provider Onyx Internet, on Teesside, and the Wearside interactive agency Leighton Media have announced they will jointly offer "Everything Internet" services.

This will allow the two companies to capitalise on elements of their businesses they have in common. They hope it will allow North-East businesses to consolidate their Internet suppliers in one place for the first time, to help maximise return on investment in Internet technologies.

Onyx Internet operations director Neil Stephenson said: "The region is punching beneath its weight compared to the rest of the UK in the effective use of Internet technologies."

Leighton is a market leader in the new media sector with websites and interactive marketing projects undertaken on behalf of organisations including Sage, Pretty Polly, the International Centre for Life and Sunderland Football Club.

Onyx, meanwhile, provides the technical side of Internet connectivity, numbering among its clients Aberdeen FC, Thomsons Holidays and Burger King.