A NORTH-EAST university project has been so successful it has secured more European funding to help companies across the region.

The University of Sunderland's Business Bridge North East, which offers local firms an extra pair of hands, has already helped more than 600 companies since being set up in 1999.

Now it has received a £150,000 European Regional Development Fund award.

Firms pay students for their work by the hour, while the service to match them up with suitable jobs is offered free of charge.