The North East's largest communications agency, Robson Brown, is motoring forward with its expansion plans, following the appointment of two designers from the automotive sector.

JOHN HOWE, from South Shields, South Tyneside, joins the company from Reg Vardy, where he designed press adverts.

Before that, he worked for North East Trader after graduating from Sunderland University with a degree in art and design in 1998.

CHRIS CHATTERON, 22, joins from the production team at North East Autotrader, where he was a graphic designer, his first role after completing a degree at Newcastle College in multi-media design.

Duncan McEwan, Robson Brown's creative director, said: "Both John and Chris have settled in very quickly and are proving valuable additions to the team."

Robson Brown offers advertising, PR, design, film and video, Internet and media buying services. The company employs 120 people at its Newcastle and Manchester offices, with a turnover of more than £30m.