DEMAND for bomb and bullet-resistant glass in the Middle East has led to the rapid growth of a North-East company.

Glassmaker Romag has seen turnover rise 14 per cent and profits increase by 20 per cent.

Chief executive of the County Durham company, Lyn Miles, said political unrest and an increase in crime had accounted for the rise.

"The current geo-political situation certainly demonstrates why there is good growth in this sector," she said. "The bullet-resistant glass is used in banks and building societies, for example, or in cash transit vans and other vehicles. A lot of our business is being done in the Middle East."

The Consett company manufactures a range of high performance security glass, which is bullet and blast resistant.

It is used in Government buildings, embassies, police stations and jewellery stores.

Romag tests the strength of the glass using equipment that includes a cannon and a firing range.

The company said turnover had increased to £15.8m for the year to September 30. Pre-tax profits climbed from £1.3m to £1.6m. Sales of Romag's range of photovoltaic solar panels reached £1.4m in its first year of production.

Ms Miles said: "For the first year we decided to concentrate on the UK market and stay close to our customers to get the right feedback.

"Now that we are satisfied that the product has been well received and the quality is good, we are turning our attention to the export market and looking to mainland Europe and the Far East.