CIVIL engineering company Lumsden and Carroll has moved into £1m office accommodation, a stone's throw away from its former headquarters in County Durham.

The Esh Winning firm, which has a turnover of £23m, hosts local authorities, One NorthEast and national house builders among its clients.

It has been involved in some of the region's major construction projects.

Recent work has included a £3m sewerage project for Northumbrian Water in Blyth, and work on the A69 bridges for Road Link.

Phil Young, Lumsden's director of technical and customer services, said: "The company is continuing to expand fast with nearly 300 employees and a growing number of blue-chip clients, but we are keen to maintain our headquarters in Esh Winning."

The company has also just achieved the Investors in People standard (IIP).

Mr Young said: "Investors in People gave us the flexible framework we needed to put a structure in place that will benefit employees and customers alike.

"Business Link County Durham was really supportive throughout the process and provided us with advice on a computer network system and training."

Gillian Westrip, IIP advisor for Business Link, said: "Nationally, only a small number of businesses from this sector have achieved the standard, so Lumsden and Carroll is leading the way.

"Organisations of all sizes and types in County Durham have reacted with real enthusiasm to IIP and taken the county to top place in the region, and fifth nationally for successful awards."