A NORTH-EAST scientific company has become one of only seven nationwide to be approved by the Ministry of Justice to carry out court-directed tests for parentage.

Complement Geonomics Limited (CGL), which trades as dadcheck, has become the only firm in the region to be used by the Government to help resolve paternity disputes.

Louise Allcroft, chief operating officer at CGL, said: "This is a great coup for the company.

"Courts have a statutory power to direct a scientific test to ascertain the parentage of a child when one party does not want testing to be done.

"If the court makes such a direction, they must choose a tester from the list of accredited bodies maintained by the Ministry of Justice and we are proud to join the select list."

The company was helped to secure the appointment by Middlesbrough-based accountant Keith Robinson and Co.

"The support of our professional team of advisors, who we have worked with for several years, has been crucial to the company and in assisting us to achieve this endorsement," said Ms Allcroft.

Bev Goodall, accountant at Keith Robinson and Co, said: "This is a testament to the hard work and exacting standards CGL works to."