A firm from the region is expanding overseas thanks to a European funding scheme.

Gilderol Roller Doors, a division of Gliderol International, has gained a passport to European markets and overseas trading success thanks to the scheme available through the North East Chamber of Commerce.

The Peterlee firm, which specialises in the manufacture of manual and automatic garage doors, qualified for funding under the chamber's travel allowance scheme for North-East companies, and used it to attend an international exhibition in Portugal.

Europe Minister Dr Denis MacShane recently presented the firm's allowance to Gliderol's European development director Laurie Hoskins at Teesside University's Centre for Enterprise.

The minister said: "Companies of all shapes and sizes should be looking to Europe for further business opportunities.

"Geographical distances and travel costs can be a barrier to new markets for smaller companies.

"The North East Chamber of Commerce, with the help of EU funds, is giving local companies a valuable leg-up on the export ladder."

Mr Hoskins said: "We were very keen to get to Oporto for the international building exhibition, Concreta 2002, as we wanted to display our UK-made garage door and remote control operator.

"Our promotion was in conjunction with a Portuguese door company, which will import our products to market throughout Portugal.

"The project is progressing, and that is thanks in part to financial assistance from the chamber."

For further information on the travel allowance scheme, contact Tracey Horn at the North East Chamber of Commerce, on 0191-386 1133.