SHOPFITTING and joinery company STP now counts high street store John Lewis as a client after a successful period of growth.

The company, based in Rowlands Gill, near Gateshead, has undergone expansion, leading to the creation of an independent joinery business, STP Joinery Projects.

Managing director Stephen Flynn said: "Response from the marketplace to our expansion has been phenomenal and as a result we are winning contracts from across the UK and Europe.

"There are real opportunities for tradesmen within this region, and I'm keen that STP and other manufacturers shout about these opportunities to prevent our region losing key skilled tradesmen to contracts down South."