THE region's oldest family-owned construction and joinery firm is starting 2015 on the front foot after creating jobs and securing industry accolades.

T Manners and Sons, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, says it has carried out a raft of major projects across the region worth millions of pounds.

The company, set up in 1860, runs construction, specialist joinery and small works divisions, with customers including The Auckland Castle Trust.

Bosses revealed the firm has supplemented its ongoing successes by appointing two joinery apprentices and a bricklaying youngster, adding it was highly commended by the National Federation of Builders’ for its work on a sixth form centre at The Oaks School, in Spennymoor, County Durham.

It also carried out work to extend buildings for The Salvation Army, in Gateshead, and Larchfield Community, in Hemlington, near Middlesbrough.

Peter Spoors, head of its marketing and business development, said: “We’ve had another successful year of steady growth, with accreditations across quality, environmental and health and safety management.

“We were also shortlisted for the British Woodworking Federation’s 2014 award for excellence and innovation, with judges highlighting our project for a charge desk for the custody suite at Avon and Somerset Police.”

The 155-year-old company, now into its fifth generation, employs more than 60 workers, and once made wings for First World War Sopwith Camel and SE5 fighter aircraft.

Founded by Thomas Manners, in Peel Street, Bishop Auckland, the company was first handed down to Thomas' son, Robert, who was gassed in the First World War trenches.

He eventually brought in his son, Brian, who had spent much of the Second World War training fighter pilots.

Brian’s son, Robert, the great-grandson of founder Thomas, is now the company's managing director, with his son, Simon, a company director.