FOLLOWING a period of sustained growth, UK computer telephony software developer, TeleWare, officially opened its doors at a new £4m purpose-built headquarters in Thirsk last week.

The company has moved its 85 head office employees from Station Road business park to new 30,000sq ft offices on Thirsk industrial park.

Miss Anne McIntosh, MP for the Vale of York, cutting the ribbon at the opening event, said: "This development is a welcome vote of confidence in Thirsk and wonderful for local employment and economy.

"Thirsk is an excellent location for businesses."

Founded in 1991, TeleWare is a division of a £21m-turnover British company, TeleWork Systems, which floated on the London stock exchange last year.

TeleWare's products and services have gone to more than 200 blue chip firms across the whole spectrum of business and industry. Clients include American Express, BT, British Airways, and Hewlett Packard.

It offers the latest in computer telephony systems, offering intelligent call handling, messaging services, interactive voice response and database access for remote workers.

The new headquarters includes a customer centre and a purpose-built research and development facility to house the company's R and D team of more than 40.

Mr Tony Knight, managing director said: "The sky was the limit, we could have built anywhere, but the company is committed to Thirsk."

Another Thirsk company, Severfield Reeve Products, has been responsible for the new building, from conception to completion, using their in-house design and build teams.

Severfield Reeve managing director, Mr Lindsay Ross, who has recently been appointed chairman of the market town initiative steering group, said: "We are very proud to see this project completed."