A FAMILY-RUN glass firm has created new jobs following the expansion of its warehouse.

Crystal Galleries has created eight new jobs after expanding its warehouse by 8,000 sq ft and spending thousands of pounds on new machinery.

The company, based in Middlesbrough, supplies glass and crystal for decorative products and works with manufacturers in the US, China and across Europe.

Crystal Galleries, which employs 67 people, was initially set up to meet demand in the North-East for sports trophies, wedding gifts and awards, before gradually expanding to supply to trade customers, including glass engravers.

The firm’s expansion has been secured thanks to £67,000 worth of funding from the Tees Valley Capital Grant, which was gained with the support of Teesside-based chartered accountants Anderson Barrowcliff.

Crystal Galleries has invested £40,000 in expanding its warehouse from 15,000 to 23,000 sq ft and £27,000 on new machinery - including one of only three sub-surface laser engraving machines in the country.

Finance director Joanne Lowes, whose father George founded the business in 1982, said: “The financial support we’ve received will facilitate our growth in the coming years.

“We’ve increased our product range and can now offer a much wider range of options to our customers, including sub-surface engraving and full colour photo printing on glass.

“We’ve also been able to reduce our lead time and increase our stock ahead of a busy 2017, in which we’ll be attending a number of major exhibitions.”

Dave Budd, chair of the Tees Valley Combined Authority, said: “Crystal Galleries is one of a number of companies benefiting from the Tees Valley Capital Grant, which is supporting businesses to grow and create jobs.

“It is great to hear that a Middlesbrough-based family business is going from strength to strength and demonstrating the determination and spirit of the region.”

James Dale, partner at Anderson Barrowcliff, said: “Crystal Galleries has worked with us for over three years and we’ve witnessed a lot of change in that time as its growth has continued.

“We are delighted to have provided the expertise and strategic services needed to put the infrastructure in place for future expansion.”