A NEWLY-opened concrete plant in Darlington has won a contract worth hundreds of thousands of pounds to supply heavyweight concrete for offshore pipelines.

Bardon Concrete, a subsidiary of Aggregate Industries, based in Leicestershire, opened a plant in Darlington in March, employing five people.

The plant won a contract with Pipeshield to supply iron ore-based concrete that could keep offshore pipes on the sea bed.

Peter Hardman, general manager for the North of England, said: "We are hoping it will become a speciality for us. Our plant in Darlington has a big capacity but if it takes off, we may need to employ more drivers."

The plant's main business is supplying construction companies, including Persimmon, Barratts, and Hall Construction.

It is working on the heavyweight concrete contract with Pipeshield's Teesside base.