A PIONEERING publishing company is gearing up for expansion with the creation of new jobs.

Yarm's ATI Publications achieved a major breakthrough in 1999 when it launched the first buyer's guide to the world-wide flag and banner industry.

The result of more than a year's work by managing director Alan Thompson, the guide - called Flag Industry Focus - was the first to pull together details of more than 2,000 flag producers in 50 countries, as well as 500 suppliers of raw materials, equipment and associated products.

Eighteen months on, Mr Thompson is keen to exploit this niche market even further, with a second edition of his buyers guide planned plus a new website, book of flag specifications and quarterly industry magazine.

He said: "When you think that flag-making can be traced back 2,500 years to when the Persians first carried standards into battle, it's amazing that until now the industry has been without its own trade publication.

"As a result, we feel there is enormous potential to exploit a real gap in the market and create valuable job opportunities in the process."

Three jobs will be created by the marketing drive, supported by business investors UK Steel Enterprise.