A HIGH-RISE maintenance company is launching a recruitment campaign to cope with an influx of large contracts for 2016.

The Darlington-based Stone Technical Services Group (STS) is on track for its most successful year to date.

The restoration, high level repair, lightning protection and general maintenance group is ahead of projected growth plans having recently secured a range of contracts for the start of the new year.

They include the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Westminster Central Hall, Lumley Castle, Barnard Castle Church, Barnard Castle Sixth Form College, Stiller in Aycliffe, Strike’s in Northallerton, various councils around the UK, English Heritage and the National Trust.

Dave Stone, managing director, said: "Our company has always been passionate about preserving traditional skills which are often overlooked. Buildings will always need repairs and we work all over the UK restoring and maintaining everything from huge cathedrals to community churches as well as repairing precious artefacts such as weather vanes, war memorials, chimneys and flashings on roofs.

"All of our divisions have seen a real growth and we’re certainly bucking the seasonal trend by creating in the region of 10 new jobs in the coming months. Many companies do lay staff off over the winter months due to a seasonal downturn but we are actively recruiting. However, there does seem to be a massive skills gap, as many young people don’t consider this sector as a viable profession.

"Having a skilled trade, which is what we offer, can be a huge advantage and there are so many career opportunities as well as ongoing qualifications from prestigious organisations that we work closely with."

STS has a team of 40 who are continually trained to the highest standards. A leader in its field it has four divisions: – lightning protection, restoration, maintenance and facilities management, and conservation.

It is on course to increase turnover by half a million pounds to £3m and is projecting growth of more than £1m in 2016 and a turnover of £3.5m.

Recent high profile projects include the full restoration of the Serpentine Bridge for the Royal Parks in London, work for the Royal Household at Windsor Castle, the Royal Courts of Justice, and at Grainger Market, Newcastle, and Newcastle Civic Centre.