A FIRM is investing £500,000 in equipment and is moving to a seven-day operation as it deals with a rise in demand and expected record-breaking year,

Thornaby-based Scott Bros says it is expecting to produce a record amount of recycled aggregate, sand, and topsoil this year and is delivering a third more than usual for the time of year.

The company is creating four jobs to help it cope with the increased demand.

Director Peter Scott said: "We are well on track to smash our record of producing 200,000 tonnes of recycled aggregate, sand and topsoil in a year.

"We have so many orders that it’s being loaded and delivered as soon as it is processed.

“We are delivering a third more topsoil than would be normal for this time of year, and we have switched to a seven-day operation to cope with demand.

"This has meant that we have been able to create four jobs and are investing in machinery that will allow us to increase capacity – which is great news for the local economy.”

In the first two months of the year, the company processed 48,000 tonnes of product.

Mr Scott said demand was high from commercial clients due to several major construction projects underway in the region.

The company was recently granted retrospective planning permission for a £1m wash plant, which was already in operation and can handle up to 70 tonnes of inert material an hour, takes construction and excavation waste and converts it into high quality course and fine sand, together with three grades of aggregate.

It sources its topsoil is from construction sites across the North-East before it is blended with compost made from green waste collected from homes across Teesside.

It is then clear screened to ensure a fine consistency.

Such recycled products are cost-effective for customers and reduce the amount of environmental damage involved in the quarrying and production of primary materials, the company said.

Mr Scott added: “It’s fantastic that we are keeping pace with the demand from both commercial and domestic customers, and that we are receiving repeat business due to our quality service and products, price and the fact we offer environmentally sustainable products.”