BUSINESS solutions specialist Vanguard remains on course to double its turnover by 2011 after winning a contract with a North-East workwear supplier.

The Gateshead company has secured a deal - thought to be worth about £20,000 - with retailer and wholesaler Simply Workwear Limited.

Vanguard will supply the company, which is based in South Shields, South Tyneside, with Retil, its till and stock management system.

Simply Workwear has moved into new headquarters and is planning to increase its workforce partly as a result of the savings made by installing the Vanguard system.

Managing director Neil Foster said: "I am delighted that Simply Workwear chose Vanguard to install our bespoke system at their new premises in South Shields.

"It is a true reflection of the hard work put in by all the team."

Ahmed Khan, Simply Workwear managing director, said: "We are excited about our expansion and are keen to utilise local suppliers, such as Vanguard, to help promote the region's economy.

"In the coming months, we aim to create additional employment, which will, to some degree, be financed by the savings made from using Vanguard's Retil system."

Vanguard was established in 1994 and is based at Team Valley, Gateshead.

It counts international market leaders Sage, Microsoft and Epson among its business partners.