THE world's largest manufacturer of drysuits has won two Ministry of Defence (MoD) contracts worth more than £1m.

Typhoon International manufactures the suits at its factory in Redcar, east Cleveland, where more than 70 people are employed.

The company was unable to provide further information about the deals.

Managing director Peter Bibby said: "These major MoD contracts are good news for all our workforce and for local people in the North-East. As a direct result of these prestigious contracts, we are already looking to recruit additional sewing machinists to join our expanding workforce."

Typhoon has manufactured drysuits and watersport products for nearly 60 years.