NORTH-EAST surveillance specialist 2020 Vision Systems has won a contract worth nearly £100,000 to strengthen the security at one of Scotland's most visited conference centres.

Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), which has held events attended by the likes of Princess Anne, Nelson Mandela and Al Gore, has awarded 2020 Vision the deal to upgrade its CCTV network following a competitive tender process.

2020 Vision, based in North Shields, North Tyneside, will now use the latest technology to upgrade and revamp the CCTV control room and recording equipment. Work is due to begin later this month.

Peter Houlis, managing director of 2020 Vision, said: "After a rigorous tender process, the EICC felt that our plans best suited its needs and would deliver on time and in budget.

"The EICC is planning to expand and our system will provide it with the opportunity to do so as and when, without the need for re-wiring."

The EICC was designed for conferences, conventions and exhibitions.

Since opening in 1995, the venue has welcomed more than 700,000 delegates to more than 2,000 events.

EICC marketing manager Sandy Pearson said: "2020 Vision technology stood out in understanding our business needs."