A FAMILY-RUN company has hailed a record year for its steel construction division.

Finley Structures, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, says turnover increased to £16.4m to the end of March.

The figure was £3.1m higher than a year ago.

The company employs about 70 staff and is known for providing 2,000 tonnes of steel for Hitachi’s £82m Aycliffe train building factory.

It has also worked on a 2,300-tonne, £4m project at Leeds’ Victoria Gate shopping centre, and, during its last financial year, built a new factory for Wearside car maker Nissan’s electric vehicle expansion, and supplied a 300-tonne frame for Darlington’s £38m National Biologics Centre.

The successes come as Finley continues to build its Aycliffe-based ROF 59 venture, which has transformed a former Second World War munitions factory into a leisure venue and creating 30 jobs.

Julie Finley, joint managing director, said: “The construction industry continues to have its challenges, but it has been an exceptional year for the group.

“Finley Structures’ financial performance for the year end March 2015 has been largely down to the Hitachi and Victoria Gate contracts.

“During the Hitachi contract alone we took on eight new staff - four in the office and four on the shop floor - to cope with the amount of extra work, which means we're up to record employee levels.

"ROF 59 is also an exciting new development.”

Earlier this year, Finley secured a contract to build schools across the region alongside contractor Galliford Try.

The agreements include Laurence Jackson School, in Guisborough, east Cleveland, Longbenton Community College, in Newcastle, and Duchess Secondary School, in Alnwick, Northumberland.

Ms Finley added: “There's a lot going on and we're now working on more and more contracts outside the North-East.

“We’re especially delighted to be working on projects with new clients as we continue to strengthen the excellent relationships we already have with all the major contractors.

“It certainly continues to be a hugely positive time for the company.”

Finley was founded by John Finley in 2000.