NORTH-EAST company SJD Architects has secured a series of contracts across the North of England.

The company, which was created in March last year and moved to the Preston Farm Business Park, Stockton, in August, is gaining a reputation for new-build projects and conversions of historic buildings.

New work the company has secured includes the conversion of a Grade II-listed mill in Preston, Lancashire, into 184 apartments, converting two Grade II*-listed mills in Huddersfield into homes, and a new-build housing and leisure complex in Leeds on a former industrial site.

Director Stephen Dodds, pictured, said: "We deal with increasing numbers of historic buildings and brownfield sites.

"At a time when the Government is keen to protect the greenbelt, such projects are more and more pop- ular.

"Several of the commercial schemes on which we are working involve historic buildings, which we are converting so that they have a viable use without adversely affecting their character. We work with organisations such as English Heritage to ensure that their character is protected.

"Our aim is to produce buildings in which people feel comfortable."

On Teesside, SJD's clients include three SureStart projects at Ochil Terrace, Billingham, where a 50-place nursery is planned; refurbishment of the old Dene School, in Thornaby, to create the Thornaby Family Centre, and converting the Victorian school building in Queen Street, Thornaby, into a training centre for parents, complete with a creche and 50-place nursery.