AN engineering company from north Lincolnshire is expanding into Wearside.

Balmer Lindley Environmental Engineering Services, of Scunthorpe, has opened premises on the Alexandra Business Park, in Pallion, Sunderland.

A total of 15 jobs have been created and the business expects to take on a further 16 staff this year.

The move was prompted by Balmer Lindley acquiring the intellectual property of the collapsed Tyneside engineering business, Service Welding.

The business designs, manufactures and installs chimneys, boiler casings and pressure vessels for the power generation industry.

It is currently involved in manufacturing equipment for the Pulrose Power Station, on the Isle of Man, and a combined heat and power plant in the Port of Liverpool.

The company has received help from the Tyne and Wear Development Company, and Sunderland City Council.

Group finance director David Metcalfe said: "Tyne and Wear Development Company responded rapidly to identify suitable property options and located a 50,000sq ft facility at Alexandra Business Park which met our specific needs.

"They also responded positively to our inquiries about grant funding and co-ordinated our discussions with the City of Sunderland and the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), resulting in substantial offers of assistance."