A DURHAM firm hopes to cash in with a new type of safety barrier that it says does not blow over in high winds.

Esh Laude Consultants, of Langley Park, has got the British and European franchise for selling the Australian-made barrier, which can be used to fence off roadworks and building projects.

Managing director Jonathan Raine said: "They are built to allow the air flow to go through them and can be filled with water to ballast them. They are very strong and very safe.

"You get some barriers that are blown over in the wind and scattered across the road. I don't think that's acceptable.''

Mr Raine said the company was getting a lot of interest in the barriers from councils and contractors