BUSINESS grants totalling more than £15,000 have helped to create 42 new jobs in Darlington since January this year.

Darlington Borough Council's financial incentives programme awarded the money to 12 businesses through its small grants, marketing and economic regeneration grants and tourism grants.

The funding is to help the businesses to expand and develop and, is available to manufacturing businesses or companies providing business services to a regional market.

Among the businesses to benefit was Sovereign Light Engineering and Glide Logistics, which was awarded £4,000 to buy essential equipment and create new jobs.

Marketing grants of up to £9,000 were also handed out. This will be used by new businesses to contribute towards the cost of promotional material and web site development.

The £9,000 will be shared between Country Harvest Farm Foods Ltd, Signs Express, BMS International Ltd, Four Corners Food Service Products, KG Distribution, DICE Recruitment and Colin Mills Contracts Ltd.

In addition, Economic Development grants of £7,500 were awarded to Fusion Creative Services Ltd, Roofex North East Ltd and Kalivalson.

This money is awarded to businesses who want to create new jobs. It is used to pay up to one year's non-domestic rates for businesses and can be put towards the purchase of production and office equipment.

David Lyonette, Darlington Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration said: "It's a promising start to the year and it builds on the significant progress we made in recent years in helping small businesses to expand and create new and sustainable jobs in Darlington."

Details of the council's financial incentives can be obtained from Mike Toyne on (01325) 388682.