A NORTH-EAST safety business is blazing a new trail after agreeing a deal to train French firefighters.

Serco's International Fire Training Centre (IFTC), which is based at Durham Tees Valley Airport, has welcomed airport fire crews from Bordeaux.

The centre trains 10,000 people from 80 countries every year, but bosses say this was the first time they have worked with French firefighters.

The team undertook a four-day refresher course after IFTC received approval from the French civil aviation authority.

The visit came after Serco last year spent £850,000 on new fire appliances and recruited five French aviation fire specialists to look after customers' needs.

Gary Watson, IFTC business operations manager, said: “This centre is the UK's number one and has enjoyed steady growth in international sales over the last five years.

“By further investing in equipment and people, we are delighted to extend our offer to French airports and offer a fresh choice in fire training.

“We're now looking forward to welcoming increasing numbers of French visitors throughout 2014.”