A CYCLE parts firm has brought scores of jobs to a North-East town as part of a £3m expansion. 

Zyro, the UK's largest privately owned bicycle parts and accessories distributor, has moved to a 100,000 square foot warehouse and offices in Darlington, creating 60 jobs in the town, with more expected to follow.

Zyro is planning to expand its business further over the coming months as cycling fever hits the region in the run up to the Tour de France Grand Depart arrival in Yorkshire.

Up to a million spectators are predicted to line the route when the world's largest annual sporting event wheels into North Yorkshire on Saturday, July 5.

Julie and Simon Ellison established Zyro in 1995 and it has grown to be a leader in its field.

The firm has developed rapidly in recent years taking on several new brands and expanding the range to cope a huge increase in the popularity of cycling in the UK, which has been driven by stars such as Mark Cavendish, and Tour de France winners Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome.

The Cycle to Work scheme has also helped boost the market that is fuelling Zyro's continued success.

The move to the new site at Faverdale represents an increase of almost  three times the warehouse space it had in its previous premises in Thirsk. The ambitious business will complete the move from its North Yorkshire headquarters in the coming days. 

Zyro carries 30 brands, including its own cycle clothing brand Altura, Cateye, ABUS and CamelBak and has recently expanded taking on internationally renowned helmet, clothing and component manufacturers Giro, Bell and Easton.

It stocks a vast range of bits and pieces for the cycling enthusiast, from mirrors and mudguards to hi tech GPS systems.

In addition to the warehouse the distributor has departments including finance, sales, brand management, operations, marketing and product design.