A BUILDING restoration firm has secured £200,000 work across the North-East to strengthen its order book.

Stone Technical Services, in Darlington, is carrying out work on libraries, lighthouses and signage for a major regional sporting event.

The firm's wood preservation and decorative installation experts are renewing handrails, pediments, pilasters, kneelers and finials and balustrades at Darlington's grade II-listed library, in Crown Street.

The building dates back to 1885 and was originally known as the Edward Pease Free Library.

The family-run firm, which employs about 35 members of staff, has also worked on the Bishop of Middlesbrough's residence, removing and installing a balcony.

The project, for the Diocese of Middlesbrough, involves providing access to the upper gable of the house, removing an existing baluster, handrails, pediments and finials and making replacements in the style of the Edwardian property.

In Sunderland, Stone’s lightning protection team fitted a new system to Roker Lighthouse and worked with Gentoo to provide general maintenance and weather repairs ensuring its social housing stock was prepared for the winter weather.

It has also completed a contract with organisers of the Great North Run to erect and remove banners, including iconic signage across the Tyne Bridge, and has put up signs for Teesside University.

Dave Stone, managing director, said: “Our business has grown to such an extent that we now work nationwide on a daily basis, but the North-East is where our headquarters are and is our heartland, so these contracts are very important to us.

“It is a real privilege to work on such a variety of interesting buildings.”