CONTINENTAL Bread Source (CBS) has opened a new depot in South Tyneside to be closer to one of its major customers.

The company chose the networkcentre on the Viking Business park in Jarrow to be within easy reach of Pride Valley Foods, of Seaham.

The networkcentre is part of the networkspace initiative joint venture between The Langtree Group and English Partnerships.

CBS distributes specialty breads, such as naans, pittas and flour tortillas, to stores nationwide.

Tyne and Wear Development Company helped the firm to find a base for its new operation in the North-East.

John Downes, a director of networkspace said: "We're delighted that the Tyne and Wear Development Company helped Continental Bread Source find the networkcentre in Jarrow."

Neil McAnany, who is heading the new company, said: "I discovered a gap in the market for the wholesale and nationwide distribution of these specialty breads and Tyne and Wear Development Company helped with the location for the business.

"It offered a quick and easy way to implement our idea and offered us a vast amount of advice."

Nick Kemp, inward investment officer at Tyne and Wear Development Company, added: "This is yet another example of the growing rate at which both new and already established companies are choosing to base their businesses in Tyne and Wear."