A FINANCIAL advice and accountancy business is expanding its IT division with the opening of its first North-East office.

Armstrong Watson Computer Solutions, the external IT division of the Armstrong Watson Group (AW), which has 12 offices throughout the North-East, has opened an office on Sunderland's Rainton Bridge Business Park.

The company has moved to the E-volve centre, in Rainton, as part of a planned expansion of its IT services division. Its head office is in Carlisle and the firm is looking to expand its business in the North-East.

The company is initially employing five people to provide IT implementation, training and support on a range of Sage and Pegasus business software solutions.

Managing director Andrew Fisher said: "We want to provide North-East businesses with a very personal alternative for these services from a small and dedicated team.

"Sunderland is an attractive location and we're looking forward to growing the business from here."

The Armstrong Watson Computer Solutions team provides comprehensive network, hardware and infrastructure support services to many small and medium- sized enterprises.

Councillor Bryan Charlton, portfolio holder for regeneration and community cohesion at Sunderland City Council, which is supporting the development of Rainton Bridge,said: "This is another feather in the cap of Evolve.

This is the first office in the North-East and we're delighted they chose Sunderland."