A HOTEL and catering recruitment business in Darlington is celebrating its success over the past year.

Since its launch last November, North-East Chefs has supplied staff to leisure centres, hospitals, care homes, hotels and restaurants across the borough and further afield.

One of its most recent placements was with the newly opened Landela restaurant on Northgate, Darlington, where the company supplied head chef John Button, from Kent.

Directors Lee Coutts and Bill Johnston have seen North-East Chefs go from strength to strength, building up a client base every month and maintaining high standards of support for staff.

The firm supplies managers and chefs of all levels, as well as waiting staff, receptionists, house keepers and bar staff.

Its clients include The Sleep Inn, Newton Aycliffe, St John's Nursing Home, Darlington, Bedale Golf Club, and Oakleaf Leisure Centre, Newton Aycliffe.

Mr Coutts said the company had experienced a steady increase in turnover over the past six months and forged strong links with local businesses.

"We would like to thank everybody who has supported us over the past year and kept us going in the early days," he said.

Due to demand, the company employed Kevin Prescott as placements manager this year.

Between them, the three men have more than 60 years experience in the hotel and catering industry and use their skills to ensure clients and candidates are ideally matched.

Mr Johnston said: "It has been an excellent year, our client base is growing constantly and were are supplying staff to an increasingly wider area.