A SEAMSTRESS who previously worked for one of the region’s biggest employers is now back in the industry.

Maria Cave once worked at clothing company Dewhirst, but has spent the last eight years working in a call centre.

The 47-year-old from Middlesbrough has now returned to the textiles industry after securing a job at Ashbank Laundry, with the help of recruitment firm KMS Partners.

Ms Cave said: “Sewing is what I love – I have had a machine since I was three-years-old so even on my first day at Ashbank I immediately felt like I was home again.

The company, based on Teesside Industrial Estate, provides a laundry renting service and its clients include Durham University and Headlam Hall.

Stephen Gosnay, general manager of Ashbank Laundry, said: “The future looks really bright for Ashbank and we are delighted that the addition of Maria has helped to bolster our offer to our clients to help us realise our ambitions.”

Gemma Holmes, head of client services at KMS, said: Ashbank is a fantastic business that has really aggressive growth plans, so finding the right person with the right skills quickly was really important so the company could continue to grow at pace.”

The closure of Dewhirst factories across the region resulted in hundreds of job losses.