A COMPANY that came to the rescue of a flood-hit North- East town is looking to break the £1m turnover barrier.

Disaster recovery specialist Rainbow International saw last year’s turnover soar to £600,000 after being “inundated”

with work to help manage the flash flooding, which hit Morpeth, Northumberland, last September.

The Consett-based company was commissioned to help with the aftermath of the storms, which saw more than 1,000 homes flooded, hundreds of people forced to leave their properties, and scores of businesses temporarily crippled.

Now, Rainbow International, which specialises in restoring homes and businesses after a major incident, and employs 12 people in the North-East, is looking to diversify and expand, taking its turnover beyond £1m.

Colin Jobling, who owns the Rainbow franchise for Sunderland, Durham City, Chester-le-Street, Hexham and Amble, Northumberland, is adding to his core insurance work by buying out his laundry contractors to offer domestic and office cleaning services in-house, and is now providing services in the private sector, to a North-East housing association and Northumbrian Water.

He already has contracts with several of the leading insurers and loss-adjusting companies, and is pitching his services at North-East councils.

Mr Jobling, who set up the business 11 years ago, has recently been named as Rainbow International’s franchisee of the month, in recognition of his expansion plans.

“We were inundated with emergency insurance work after the Morpeth floods last September, and we were also called in by a property developer to dry out new homes that had been deluged,” said Mr Jobling.

“We are continuing to develop our domestic and office cleaning service, as well as other private sector work, and we have set our sights on a £1m annual turnover.”

Mr Jobling was chosen ahead of more than 100 franchisees across the country for his award from the Rainbow International group.

“I was delighted to win the award because it is recognition for all the hard work by the team. We have a great bunch of workers who really put in the extra effort,” he said.

Phil Else, Rainbow International group managing director, said: “Colin often works in difficult conditions, but has dedicated himself to growing a successful business which is providing a vital service to householders and businesses in his area.”