A MEDICAL diagnostics company that has seen its turnover nearly double in two years expects to continue to grow and increase exports.

Turnover at Hart Biologicals Limited has increased from £173,000 in 2003 to £326,000 last year. Orders in January and last month equalled the first four months of 2005.

In its first year, 2003, exports accounted for 1.1 per cent of the Hartlepool company's business - now they account for about 17 per cent.

Hart, on the Newburn Bridge Industrial Estate, exports blood-testing products to a number of European countries, including Germany, France, Italy and Austria, as well as India, Hong Kong and Australia.

Managing director Albert Pattison said he intended to develop the export market further.

He said: "We are in the process of building up a relationship with a company called Corgenix, in the South. While we handle the manufacturing and development side of the products, they deal in sales and marketing."

Hart Biologicals has recently recruited another member of staff to add to its team of five and intends to take on its first development scientist in May.

The company specialises in the manufacture of clinical diagnostic kits, which are used to help test and monitor people who suffer from blood clotting disorders or are having major operations.

The company also supplies equipment for testing patients who are taking the anti-coagulant drug warfarin after having suffered from thrombosis, heart valve replacement or other cardiovascular problems.

Another area of growth is supplying equipment to GPs.

Mr Pattison said: "We supply hospitals across the UK, including in Newcastle, Darlington, Hartlepool and Bishop Auckland, County Durham.

"However, we are now supplying more equipment to GPs and pharmacies because of the Government's desire to have more testing done at surgeries instead of hospitals."