CHARNLEIGH Construction, one of the region's major building and civil engineering companies, has celebrated its 10th anniversary this year in the best possible way - by filling its order books with a wide range of contracts.

The company, based in South Shields, is working on a varied portfolio of projects worth in excess of £3m, ranging from a six bedroom private house in Stockton, to a respite care home in Blyth.

But managing director Mark Turnbull stressed that Charnleigh's success is the result of linking the old fashioned traditional values of quality and good workmanship with a modem entrepreneurial need to diversify.

He explained: "To stand still in this business can be terminal.

"We set up the company just at a time when the building industry was entering a difficult period, but in some ways that was beneficial.

"To create the excellent track record we now have we needed a level of craftsmanship and expertise second to none.

"At the same time we have become more than just a construction company, setting up a specialist division for special projects which complements our mainstream work."

Charnleigh Special Projects specialises in the design and internal refurbishment of catering, office and leisure facilities, working across the UK with national catering companies, blue chip organisations, universities, schools and hospitals.

Mr Turnbull said: "The businesses are connected and compatible.

"They both contribute to a healthy turnover which is approaching £10m a year, and it means we don't keep all our eggs in one basket.