STAFF at a Tyneside manufacturing company are brushing up on their skills with the help of the North-East Chamber of Commerce.

Seven employees from the Team Valley Brush Company have achieved NVQs in Performing Manufacturing Operations (level two) after training with the chamber.

The workers received shop-floor training in subjects ranging from health and safety to communications to achieve their qualifications.

Founded in Germany at the end of the 19th Century, the company moved to the North-East in the 1930s. It is one of the largest specialist brush manufacturers in Europe and employs 150 staff at Team Valley. It produces a variety of ceramic, educational and cosmetic brushes for export worldwide.

When the company decided to develop the skills of its staff, it approached the chamber for training.

Susan Gwynn, human resources manager for the business, said: "The NVQ in Performing Manufacturing Operations is very relevant to our workers because it helps develop the skills they use every day.

"Thanks to the training, we now have a workforce better equipped to meet our needs and those of our customers."

John Scott, training advisor at the North-East Chamber's South Tyneside centre, said: "This NVQ is designed primarily to develop the type of skills they will be using every day and increase efficiency that can be seen in the bottom-line.

"One of the big advantages is that the training takes place within the factory, so it does not take up much time and can fit around busy production schedules."