A SMALL plumbing and heating engineering company launched a year ago has played a key role in improving people's living standards.

In a fast-track programme of work, Platinum Gas, in Yarm, near Stockton, has installed central heating systems in 300 homes in Wallsend on behalf of North Tyneside Council and its housing management partner Rok Property Solutions.

It was awarded the contract after its engineers demonstrated they could install heating systems in three houses in a day.

"During installation, tenants are without heating and hot water, so it is essential that the work is done quickly and without mistakes," said Platinum Gas owner Simon Lister.

"As with most jobs, preparation is everything, so we measure up and plan each installation methodically to ensure that potential difficulties are addressed before they become a problem.

"The other key thing is to talk to the tenants. We seem to have developed a good rapport with them."

The heating systems have been installed as part of North Tyneside's commitment to meet the Government's Decent Homes Standard.

Throughout the project, Platinum Gas, a Corgi-registered company, worked closely with tenant liaison officers, as well as technical and health and safety staff from the council and Rok.

Mr Lister, a 30-year-old gas engineer, launched the company in August last year, recruiting time-served gas engineers he either worked with previously or knew from college.

Eleven months on, the company employs 12 people, including six qualified gas engineers and three apprentices. The company became limited in April.

As well as local authority housing, Platinum Gas has won contracts with private landlords throughout the North-East, most notably providing gas safety certification for student accommodation, and is on course to record a first year turnover of £250,000.