A TEESSIDE advertising agency is making its mark in the business after landing a top business gong.

Middlesbrough-based Ellahi & Pinkney Ltd have come a long way since setting up just nine months ago, and its achievements were recognised when picking up a prize at the Best New Business In Tees Valley Awards.

The agency has already made a major impact in the regions advertising and design industry having acquired accounts with Supreme Home & Fashion Wares and Macks Solicitors against more established local agencies.

The firm has also proved its success on the national and international stage, holding accounts for mountain bike manufacturers MuddyFox Ltd, and currently putting the finishing touches to the official website for Manchester music group Cleopatra.

The firm offers assistance with corporate identity design for print and exhibitions through to multimedia and direct mail, but it is as an advertising agency that they are becoming renowned.

And Ellahi & Pinkney have ambitions to expand the company, with growth the key to future success.

Daniel Pinkney, 24, said: "We'd like to thank all of our clients for their support over the last eight months, and this award is another step in establishing ourselves as one of the regions leading advertising agencies."

His partner Tanvir Ellahi said: "It was an honour to be considered for a business award at such an early stage in our business, let alone win it.

"We are absolutely delighted particularly as we were up against some very successful companies"

Tanvir himself is very ambitious to turn the firm into a regional success story, and he has ideas for taking control of a business very close to his heart.

"This will be the biggest agency in the North-East and one day I have plans to buy Middlesbrough FC."

Look out Steve Gibson!