GARMENT embroidery and screen-printing business Armstrong UK is doubling the size of its workforce.

Armstrong wants to increase its workforce to 40 after moving to Henson Road, Yarm Road Business Park, in Darlington, from the Nestfield Industrial Estate in the town.

The move and jobs boost is the result of the firm winning a range of contracts, including ten more with universities, to take its total to 28 university customers.

It has also been recognised by the National Union of Students (NUS) as a compulsory supplier to its retail outlets.

The business was started 12 years ago by Sutton Million.

After 25 years in the sportswear trade he identified a gap in the market for supplying decorated sports and leisure wear.

In 1996 he was joined by his son Paul, now managing director, and since then the staff has increased from two to 20, and turnover has gone up 45 per cent.

The firm manufactures tracksuits and training wear as well as embroidering and printing a huge range of promotional sports, leisure and work wear.

Clive Owen and Co, Darlington chartered accountants and business advisors, have worked with Mr Million since he established the business.

The firm has recently been involved in putting together a business plan and organising funding to help Armstrong's expansion plans.

Sutton Million said: "This has been a fantastic period of growth for us. It's amazing to think that six years ago I was working from home with only a handful of customers."