SIGNS created by South Shields businessman Jim Laing can be seen sailing the seven seas.

His firm, Essential Signs and Graphics, produces computer designed vinyl signs that can be seen on the funnels of container ships.

The firm, based at Tedco Business Works, in South Shields, branched out into the maritime business after linking up with an agent operating within the shipping industry.

Mr Laing, 56, from Jarrow, South Tyneside, started the business a year ago. In the beginning, his contracts came from within the region, but after completing a job to put signage on the funnel of a Nissan ship his business really took off.

He said: "Working in partnership with an agent has led to work for ships based in France and Italy, as well as the UK.

"The signs are all computer designed on the latest CAD systems and produced in sections which are then affixed on site, rather like putting up billboards.

"The new direction has really helped business and we are looking forward to more maritime work in 2002."