SOME of the world's best-known financial institutions are turning to a company in the Yorkshire Dales for computer software.

From its base in Richmond, North Yorkshire, thecitysecrets provides software for the Equities divisions of investment firms.

It has proved such a success that director Martin Worner is taking extra office space.

He said: "It is true that this type of activity is usually associated with the City and other big trading centres.

"We are proof that you can operate at these levels within the industry, yet benefit from the quality of life associated with living and working in a place like Richmond."

Mr Worner, who grew up near Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, established the company in Richmond five years ago.

"I was fed up with City life," he said. The staff are a mostly ex-pats from County Durham or North Yorkshire - people who either left for jobs in London, or who made that long commute, in order to still live somewhere nice."

Turnover is expected to reach £1m this year. The company, which has 17 staff, moved into a former infant school in Dundas Street six months ago, but has outgrown the site.

Mr Worner said: "We anticipate taking on even more people in the near future. Leasing the additional space next door enables us to accommodate this expansion, while retaining our central location in the town."