FOUR North-East firms are hoping to boost their European exports after strengthening ties between their community and its twin towns in France.
The companies, all from South Tyneside, took part in a trade mission to France to promote closer ties with the borough's twin towns of Epinay-Sur-Seine, and Noisy-le-Sec, near Paris.
Following the trip, South Shields furniture manufacturer PST won a £25,000 order from a hotel.
It builds on the company's previous trade mission success, which resulted in a deal to supply French casino Aspinals with hundreds of chairs.
Bosses at nearby Tecform Plastics, which has supplied the Louvre museum with display equipment, are also confident of increasing exports to France.
Management at Ford Components and Tyneside Leathercraft are now planning follow-up visits to the Continent.
South Tyneside Council has run the European trade missions for more than four years.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article