TWO Darlington businesses have received £10,000 from a council-run scheme to help them get off the ground.

The Falchion Fund is a loan scheme dedicated to new and existing businesses which employ up to 250 people.

It aims to support the creation of jobs in the borough by putting additional cash into the setting up of new business, as well as the development and expansion of existing business.

The two local businesses who are the latest to benefit from the scheme are Camilleri & Leach Ltd and a franchise of the National Schoolwear Centre.

Camilleri & Leach is an electrical installation company that provides both domestic and commercial services in the region. It has been trading for less than two months and has recently made considerable progress in securing new contractual work with various national property developers.

The company is looking to relocate within Darlington and is aiming to increase its workforce in the new year.

Craig Vickers' franchise of the National Schoolwear Centre, based in Gladstone Street, is aiming to be Darlington's one-stop schoolwear shop. It provides every aspect of school clothing and accessories including sportswear and dancewear.

The Falchion Fund offers loans to businesses of up to a maximum of £10,000 over a period of no more than five years and at a preferential interest rate of one per cent above the HSBC bank base rate for both new and existing businesses.

It is a partnership between Darlington Borough Council and HSBC Bank, with support from Darlington Business Venture and accountancy firm Clive Owen and Co.

David Lyonette, Darlington Council's cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: "The Falchion Fund is a great example of how the council and HSBC can work together with private sector investment to support business start-up and development within Darlington."