A DARLINGTON human resources and health and safety company has expanded into a new sector.

Family-run We do HR and We do Health and Safety, has launched We do Learning and Development, following a successful 2016 when it doubled both its turnover and clientele.

The firm's new division will provide a variety of training programmes, focusing primarily on leadership, management, communication, conflict resolution and people-related development.

Alasdair Ross, owner and managing director, set up We do HR in 2003 and puts his success down to the integrity of the staff.

He said: "Learning and development is an area I've always supported with existing clients and now that We do HR and We do Health and Safety have established a steady growth, it felt like the perfect time to introduce an effective leadership and management development service."

The firm has taken on Ishrat Shaheen, who has a masters degree in HR management, as training and development officer for the new business.

To mark the firm's 14th birthday and the launch of We do Learning and Development, the company hosted a party at Lotus Lounge in Yarm for its employees and clients.