THE Paramount hotel group has invested more than £1m in a new events and conference centre at the 17th century listed Redworth Hall hotel. The centre was opened on Monday by Dr John Bridge, chairman of regional development agency One NorthEast.

The country house hotel was taken over by the Leeds-based group two years ago and the events centre takes the group's spending on new facilities to about £2m, following the refurbishment of the health club and other parts of the hotel.

Order of merit

ABGIAIL Carter, who works at Baines Goldston in Stockton, was one of eight candidates who shared 15th place in the national order of merit for the Institute of Chartered Accountants' final admitting examination