A MAN from the North-East is staging a protest outside the offices of the US company which he blames for the breakdown of his marriage and loss of access to his son.

Mark Heslehurst, originally from Middlesbrough, began his vigil outside French-owned Biomerieux in Durham, North Carolina, last month.

The 48-year-old claims a long-running dispute with the company resulted in he and wife Dominique Dufieux divorcing.

She and their son, Edward, now live in Cambodia.

Now the desperate father, who says he has previously attempted suicide, has been fasting since he started his protest.

He alleges that his problems began several years ago when the company cancelled a contract with him to teach English to staff at their headquarters in Lyons, France.

Mr Heslehurst blames the corporation for subsequently ruining his business which led to his marriage breakdown.

After securing cash from American supporters, Mr Heslehurst flew to the US to carry out his protest, which he hopes will help him achieve closure on the dispute.

He said: “To demonstrate my total commitment to ending this story, to be reunited with my son and to show the people who brought me here – it ends here.

“Upon arriving in North Carolina I have fasted. I have lost an enormous amount of weight, but remain committed and will continue as long as I can stand.

“Since arriving in North Carolina the local people have been won over and brought me warm clothes, drinks, and paid for extra hotel nights so I can continue my quest to be reunited with my son.”

Throughout the medical world, Biomerieux is recognised as a world leader for microbiology and infectious disease diagnostics.

A spokesman for the Durham County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina confirmed that Mr Heslehurst was holding his peaceful protest near the factory, but played down any concerns about his health.

He said: “I know he is out there protesting and we have a deputy who is keeping an eye on the situation.

“We have no concerns about his health, despite his claims that he is fasting. We have spoken to him and he is in good health.”

The Northern Echo contacted the company for comment but received no reply.