A SUBSEA firm's managing director is helping support homeless people in his community.

Modus boss Jake Tompkins and his wife Emma are long-standing personal supporters of the charity First Stop Darlington.

Now Mr Tompkins, whose subsea trenching firm is based at Beaumont House in the town, has accepted an invitation to become a trustee of the charity.

It will also be the chosen charity for fundraising carried out by Modus, which employs 30.

First Stop Darlington, based in the Old Museum on Tubwell Row, and founded in 1999, supports more than 800 people each year.

It provides housing advice, including referrals to emergency and long term housing, life skills classes, phone, computer and internet access, showers, laundry and emergency supplies.

Mr Tompkins said: "I have been aware of First Stop Darlington and its work for a number of years and helped out with donations, and I hope that I can continue to contribute by agreeing to become a trustee and supporting it through Modus.

"The work First Stop Darlington does is vital for many people across the borough and, as a Darlington-based business, I felt it was important we give it the support it deserves to continue providing that service."

First Stop Darlington manager Tracy Freeman said: "Having a major firm acknowledge our value to the area in this way and pledging to support us is absolutely fantastic."