BUSINESS confidence in Darlington continued to rise in October.

Turnover, employee numbers and business confidence all continued to increase, maintaining the positive trend set in September, thanks to a variety of big construction projects that are poised to transform the town.

Neville Baldry, partner at Clive Owen and Co chartered accountants and business advisors, said: "This encouraging economic picture is reinforced by a major regional landscape contractor who contributes to the index, who said orders from existing customers were increasing despite winter being a typically quieter season for this sector.

"Similarly, a Darlington-based construction company also contributed a high confidence figure for October. Perhaps the reason for the current buoyancy in construction-related sectors is the mounting redevelopment of Darlington."

Projects including the £30m relocation of Darlington College of Technology, which includes plans for housing, offices and a hotel, and the £45m Commercial Street Shopping Centre, are creating jobs for developers and those involved in construction-related sectors.

The town's transformation also includes investment in the region's transport infrastructure with a £20m redevelopment of Teesside International Airport. This coincides with the renaming of the airport to Durham-Tees Valley Airport, to enhance its brand image in Europe.

Comparable redevelopment plans for Darlington's Bank Top Railway Station, including increased parking spaces and improving security, have been welcomed as they will improve access to Darlington.

The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) published figures suggesting the construction sector performed strongly in October, expanding for the 57th consecutive month.

The Purchasing Managers' Index compiled by the CIPS noted a rise from 56.9 in September to 58.9 in October, signifying increased new work and growth in activity.

As Christmas approaches, Darlington business owners in the construction-related sector are bracing themselves for a quieter month. But optimism remains due to the plans for Darlington's facelift in the New Year.