SECURITY giant ADT Fire and Security has stressed its commitment to staff at a recently taken-over North-East firm.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that ADT had acquired Security Surveyors Group, in Darlington, in what was described as a "significant coup".

Security Surveyors, which has more than 30 years experience in the industry, has more than 3,000 customers throughout the North.

Its 30 employees will now be integrated into ADT's Gateshead branch in a bid to boost coverage in the region.

Steve Foster, general manager of the Gateshead branch, said: "The workforce at Security Surveyors is extremely talented and well-trained, and will be an asset to ADT.

"They will now come under our wing, making ADT one of the largest employers in the Gateshead area.

"ADT's aim is to make the North-East one of the safest places to live and work in the UK and the takeover of Security Surveyors represents another huge step towards that target."

Mr Foster said that ADT was aiming to create a "significant number of vacancies" throughout coming months.

ADT is part of multi-national industrial group Tyco, based in the United States.