AN emergency medics company set up by a former accident and emergency nurse has just seen turnover break through the £1million barrier.

Medics UK provides emergency cover at agricultural shows, festivals, concerts and large sporting events.

But it was also on stand by at Le Tour Yorkshire and is looking after the stars of Downton Abbey while filming at Alnwick Castle.

The company – a founder member of the independent ambulance service – also provides medical cover to offshore workers around the world.

Ken Lumley established the company in Redcar in 2002 and now has regular fixtures at sporting events such as Durham Cricket Club, the Jane Tomlinson Appeal 10k runs in York and Leeds, and Middlesbrough, and Middlesbrough FC Under 21s’ matches.

Mr Lumley, managing director, said: “Business is going incredibly well, we have a core team of five full and part time staff and when we are providing cover at large events that number increases to about 80 fully trained temporary staff.

“We also have medics working for us on vessels around the world providing offshore workers with the best medical care possible.”

Mr Lumley, a qualified paramedic, previously worked offshore and appreciates the extraordinary circumstances offshore medical teams can find themselves dealing with.

Since it launched, Medics UK has gone from strength to strength and now has a fleet of 15 fully-fitted rapid response ambulances, all carrying the same life-saving equipment as NHS vehicles.

The company recently won contracts to supply medics to Technip and Northern Marine Management – a move that saw turnover increase to more than £ 1 million.

Mr Lumley has worked with the Redcar Enterprise Team to develop the company’s marketing and human resource expertise, enabling him to expand the business further, including adding to the fleet of rapid response vehicles.

The Enterprise Team offers Redcar and Cleveland businesses at least 12 hours of free tailored support. In the last year more than 200 companies have been helped, leading to the creation of more than 150 jobs.