AN engineering firm employing hundreds of North-East workers has secured a deal to carry out global environmental work.

Amec, which has more than 400 staff in Darlington, will work with oil and gas company Eni's Exploration and Production division.

Bosses say the two-year agreement includes surface and groundwater assessments as well as social and health impact work.

The project will be managed by Amec in Italy and follows work with Eni in Europe, Asia, the Middle-East and West Africa.

Rudi Ruggeri, Amec's Italian operation managing director, said: “This provides us and Eni with the opportunity to deepen our existing strong relationship and deliver our shared ambitions.”

Earlier this month, The Northern Echo revealed Amec plans to create 700 North-East jobs this year by taking on welders, pipe fitters, tank erectors and riggers across the region.

It has also agreed to a £2bn deal to buy US company Foster Wheeler, which has offices in Middlesbrough and employs more than 13,000 workers in 30 countries, in a bid to win more contracts in oil and gas markets.

Amec's Darlington offices are the company's European engineering headquarters, with its engineering division providing technical support to clients across the world.