ARCHITECTS and interiors firm Red Box Design Group has opened an office for Tees Valley.

Newcastle-based Red Box has taken on space at Pioneer Court, in Darlington's Morton Palms development.

The group, which includes new media business FuseBoxDesign, is working on a range of high-profile contracts throughout the region.

These include the £50m Olympic-standard swimming pool in Sunderland, the £24m Framwellgate Hotel on the riverside in Durham, and the £31m Gateshead College at the Baltic Business Quarter.

The firm has also submitted a planning application to York City Council for the £250m redevelopment of the former Terry's site.

Red Box chairman Alan Smith said: "It was very important for me to replicate the same qualities, work ethics and the values that we have in the Newcastle headquarters here in Tees Valley.

"We believe that there is a growing market in the Tees Valley region, particularly in those sectors where we specialise - commercial, residential, research and development, and leisure."