THREE North-East firms are aiming to increase exports on a Middle-East trip.

Pump maker Tomlinson Hall and Co, in Billingham, near Stockton, and engineering design and management firm Nortech Solutions, in Wynyard, near Billingham, have won places on a UK Trade and Investment visit to Dubai.

They will be joined by Newcastle-based Furniture Clinic, which makes leather repair and care products for furniture, clothing and handbags.

The firm’s will visit Dubai in December.

Tomlinson Hall and Co, founded in 1919, already exports pumps used in chemical processing and sea water extraction to countries including China, Argentina, the US and Canada.

Colin Simpson, business development director, said: “Dubai is a key target market for us and we’re looking forward to promoting North-East overseas.”

Nortech’s group of companies includes Nortech Solutions Ltd, Nortech Oil and Gas, and Nortech Staffing Solutions.

Bryan Bunn, Nortech Solutions Group managing director, added: “The visit will be an excellent opportunity to discover the many opportunities in Dubai as well as further enhance our knowledge of other emerging markets.”