FOUR North-East firms are hoping to boost their European exports after a visit to France.

The South Tyneside companies 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.

South Shields furniture manufacturer PST has won a £25,000 order from a hotel on the back of the mission.

It builds on the company's previous trade mission success, which saw it sign a deal with French casino Aspinals for hundreds of chrome chairs.

Bosses at nearby Tecform, which has supplied the Louvre with display equipment, are also confident of increasing exports to France in the next year.

Management at Ford Components and Tyneside Leathercraft are planning follow-up visits to the Continent.

South Tyneside Council's economic development team has run the European trade missions for more than four years. Funded by the Government's Single Regeneration Budget, the French trip aimed to create opportunities for companies abroad.

For further details, contact Mike Jessop at South Shields Town Hall, on 0191-427 1717.