AN architectural and planning practice is looking to expand after it was awarded a quality standard held by few firms in its field.

Planarch Design Limited received the ISO 9001, an industry award that allows the company to bid for new public sector contracts in the UK.

The Bishop Auckland business, which has worked on projects including Gateshead's Quayside, offers architectural services across all sectors and has a division for specialist planning matters.

Director Eileen Wilson said the award would open doors for business that could lead to considerable growth for the company and its current team of nine.

She said: "Not many architectural or planning firms have the ISO standard, which means we will have an excellent advantage when we bid for public sector contracts.

"The ISO has opened up a whole new world for us."

Planarch has been receiving support from Business Link North-East (BLNE) in expanding and securing ISO accreditation.

John Atkinson, of BLNE, who has helped the company for several years, said: "Not only will achieving ISO 9001 help to propel them into a higher league and boost growth, but it also has the benefit of saving companies like Planarch a substantial amount of money by reducing insurance premiums considerably.

"It is an accreditation that can make a major contribution to a company in a number of ways."