A HIGH-RISE specialist company expects to recruit up to 10 more staff following an influx of new contracts.

Stone Technical Services (STS) is to expand its STS Maintenance and Facilities Management division following the new orders.

The company started life specialising in industrial steeplejacks in 1998 and has just returned to Ineos at Seal Sands on Teesside on a major shutdown project to carry our maintenance and safety work.

Dave Stone, managing director of STS, completed his first industrial project at the same site in 1978 and, since then, has returned with his team to carry out a range of projects.

The Darlington-based company has also won new contracts with Durham County Council, to complete annual chimney stack inspections at a variety of council buildings including schools and factories, work at Barnard Castle School and investigation works for Newcastle City Council at the Civic Centre.

In Scotland it is providing the lifeline and safety systems as well as internal and external repair ladders and a safety boat for maintenance work at the 2.5km long Forth Road Bridge which connects Fife and the North of Scotland with Edinburgh and the South.

Mr Stone said: "The growth in our maintenance and FM division is almost like we are going back to our roots. Industrial plants and chimneys is where it all started for us in the seventies before we even set up STS.

"Of course, the sad demise of industry on Teesside has meant we have had to diversify but, thanks to our strong reputation in the industrial and general maintenance sectors, we have recently won new contracts which is really helping to boost this side of our business."

STS has a team of 40 and hopes to create around 10 new jobs before the summer.