A Darlington-BASED group of nurseries is top of a league table of the country's fastest growing businesses.

Just Learning was established by former Darlington MP, Mr Michael Fallon, and entrepreneur, Mr Duncan Bannatyne in 1995. It now has 18 nurseries, catering for nearly 2,000 children, with three more due to open in the new year.

Each nursery involves an investment of up to £900,000 and provides employment for 30 people. All the buildings have been custom designed and carefully separated into age ranges. This year, turnover is expected to reach £5.8m with a forecast of £7.2m next year.

The company is negotiating the development of 12-15 further sites with construction starting at five or six sites during 2001.

Mr Fallon, managing director, said: "Our team is delighted to have won this award for the second year running. Growth has been substantial and rapid. We have only a small team running the company, which means we can move fast and take decisions quickly."

He is convinced the company's growth is due to a successful formula which parents find attractive. "The nurseries are all purpose-built and designed for learning in a friendly environment. They have CCTV security and double entry door locks to assure the parents their children are cared for in safe surroundings."

l Mr Bannatyne has also scored a success with Bannatyne Fitness, named the North-East's fastest-growing medium-sized business of the year in the Ward Hadaway Fastest 50 of the North-East businesses awards.

The Darlington-based firm opened its first health club in Teesside in 1998 and is now the UK's largest independent health club operator. It is continuing to strengthen its position since announcing a £40m development programme.

Bannatyne Fitness employs 500 people and has 16 health clubs, operating or under development, which can serve up to 70,000 members nationwide. In addition, the firm's newly-established subsidiary company, Just Fitness, is to develop a series of fitness centres.

Mr Bannatyne, the chairman, said: "Hard work and determination lie behind what we have achieved. Our ability to get the staff we need in the North-East is fantastic; it is easy to find the right kind of people.

"We go for the mid-market customers. We don't go in for fluffy towels and gold taps. Our luxury health clubs are purpose-built to provide state-of-the-art fitnesss equipment and top quality recreational facilities."