A COMPANY has announced it hopes to expand in Darlington after a multi-million contract was renewed.

Business support company Capita said half of its Darlington staff were moving to new premises in the town, which will allow for the company's growth.

The Darlington branch of the business is based in Mowden Hall, Staindrop Road, but 250 staff will move to Lingfield Point on the opposite side of the town.

The move came after one of the company's contracts was renewed in a multi-million pound deal. Capita was recently awarded the contract to deal with teachers' pensions for an extra seven years.

A spokesman said: "The staff involved in working with teachers' pensions will now work from one site and staff involved in other projects will work from the other.

"This move will give us the opportunity to expand in the future, although there are no specific plans to take on new workers in Darlington at the moment."

Capita's television licensing staff moved to Darlington from Sunderland last July.

The Mowden Hall site has been at the centre of controversy for some years after residents and councillors complained about parking problems allegedly caused by staff.