DIVERSIFICATION is proving to be the way forward for an agricultural engineering firm in Weardale.

A new subcontract selling and servicing tractors has given a vital lifeline to Gardiners Agricultural Engineering in Frosterley.

The small business has been able to employ one more person because of the contract from manufacturers Zetor.

Gardiner is a name that has gone hand in hand with the Dale since George Gardiner and Son Ltd was established in Wolsingham in 1779.

Its legacy continues through great-grandson Jonathan who set out on his own in 1999 after the death of his father marked the end of the Wolsingham plant.

Jonathan started out as a welder and steel fabricator and as demand grew took on Colin Hall, now 57, to cope.

But the business has taken some severe knocks through the foot-and-mouth crisis and the closure of Blue Circle Cement in Eastgate.

Jonathan, 28, said: "We did not work directly for the cement works but we worked a lot for people who worked out of the cement works and it has had a knock-on effect.''

Since the closure of the cement works Jonathan has taken on fitter Craig Jameson, 28, who had his own garage in Wearhead until he closed it down in September last year.

Taking on Craig has meant the business can add a new string to its bow and has been able to win the sub-contract.

Now Gardiners is talking about extension, by buidling a new office and shop next to the works at The Batts, Frosterley.

The company already offers workwear and countrywear but the extension will enable a better display of goods.

Jonathan said: "This new contract means that farmers from the Dale will be able to come here to have their tractors serviced instead of going to Yorkshire or Ponteland.

"We will also be selling the vehicles. It also means that if things work out eventually there may be the potential to take on more people."