ECONOMIC development chiefs on Tyneside are preparing a business trip to Germany after a previous visit led to a number of contracts for local firms.

They have enlisted the help of German student Sylva Tassy, 23, who has just finished her studies in Newcastle.

Sylva is spending a month working in South Tyneside's Economic Development Team, carrying out market research with the borough's twin-town of Wuppertal, and nearby Dusseldorf.

Sylva, from Stuttgart, began her degree in International Business Studies at home in Germany. She came to Newcastle a year ago to complete her final year at the University of Northumbria.

She said: "I heard about the placement and thought it would be an excellent chance to gain practical experience of how business is done in this country.

"It also allowed me to see what opportunities exist to increase trade between Tyneside and my home country."

Sylva is compiling a profile of companies on South Tyneside, which will be prepared in German for distribution to businesses in and around Wuppertal and Dusseldorf.

South Tyneside Council hopes to emulate the success of previous SRB-funded rips to France and Germany designed to create market opportunities for companies and for the council to cultivate twin-town links.

Councillor Jim Harper, lead member for regeneration with South Tyneside Council, said: "Sylva's work will be vital to laying the foundations for another exciting project that we hope will build on the success of our last visit to Germany."