CONSULTANCY Stapleton International has signed a deal to work on the 2006 Asian Games village.

The Darlington company, which also has an office in Sing-apore, will provide project, commercial and cost management services for the development of the village, in Doha, in the Gulf state of Qatar.

The company, which is planning to acquire a rival and open offices in Dubai this year, has been awarded the contract by Malaysian landscaping services company Cypark Sdn Bhd.

Mark Stewart, Stapleton's marketing director, said: "It is a brilliant way into the Middle Eastern market and it is a very prestigious contract win for the company.

"It enables us to use the project as a benchmark for other projects in the future."

The village, which will provide accommodation and facilities for 7,100 athletes and 2,900 team officials, will be completed in April, well ahead of the December opening of the 15th games.

It is being designed so that it can be converted into a medical facility at the end of the games, which will run from December 1 to 15.

Qatar successfully bid to host the games against competition from Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur, making Doha the first Arab city to hold the event.

According to Government officials, Qatar has allocated £1.6bn on raising Qatar's facilities to Olympic Games standard.

Stapleton, which has its head office in Stanhope Road South, Darlington, provides a full range of commercial, contractual and scheduling services to international contractors and owners in the oil and gas, construction, engineering and energy sectors.

Established more than 30 years ago, it also has offices in London, Houston, Kuwait and Malaysia.

Stapleton has also recently been commissioned to work on chemical company Huntsman's £200m polyethylene plant on Teesside.

Other major contracts include a £180m drilling rig contract with GlobalSantaFe, in Houston, Texas, and a £120m offshore structure with Bluewater, in the Netherlands.

Stapleton, which employs about 40 staff, was recognised for its outstanding achievement in the oil and gas industry throughout last year when it was awarded the title Company of the Year by the Northern Offshore Federation.