A DTI grants scheme is celebrating a successful first ten months of operation which has helped secure £15.7m in investment from North-East businesses.

Since its launch in January, the enterprise grants scheme has offered more than £2m to 82 businesses in the region helping create 558 jobs and safeguarding a further 135.

Trade and Industry secretary and North-East MP, Stephen Byers, yesterday saluted the success of the scheme which provides one-off financial assistance to small and medium-sized companies in enterprise grant areas of the English regions.

"I'm delighted that since the beginning of the year the enterprise grants scheme has helped more than 80 businesses in all parts of the North-East," he said.

"They have helped create hundreds of new jobs and given a significant boost to the local economy.

"The financial help offered by these grants has helped many businesses get exciting projects off the ground, and given them a helping hand towards a brighter and more prosperous future."

Since the scheme began 23 firms in County Durham, 17 in Teesside, 26 on Tyneside, eight in Wearside and eight in Northumberland have received grants.

Priority has been given to projects using advanced technology, industry clusters and schemes that create long-term employment in high areas of unemployment.

North-East firms which have already benefited include:

lNewton-Aycliffe-based ALM Products Ltd which designs and manufactures architectural ironmongery, accepted a grant offer of £47,000 which helped in the creation of ten new jobs

lExwold Technology Ltd (ETL) which was offered a £65,000 grant to expand its herbicide extrusion plant at Haverton Hill, Billingham and a fungicide granulation plant at Hartlepool

Mr Byers added: "My message to other small and medium size firms throughout the region is simple - you too could benefit from a grant of up to £75,000."

The scheme is now available throughout most of the North-East except Durham City and areas of Northumberland, and companies interested in applying should contact either their local Business Link or alternatively write to Keith Raine, Government Office for the North-East, Second Floor, Wellbar House, Gallowgate, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.