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

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

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

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

Marketing grants of up to £9,000 were also distributed to new businesses.

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

Economic development grants of £7,500 were awarded to Fusion Creative Services, Roofex North East and Kalivalson.

The money is used to pay up to a year's non-domestic rates and to purchase production and office equipment, resulting in new jobs.

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."

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