A FORMER public relations executive has set up her own company, and has already won six diverse contracts.

Jan Hilary Public Relations has been established in Shotley Bridge, County Durham, by Jan Hilary, former head of the public relations department of Newcastle City Council.

Prior to that she worked for Northern Gas and Fenwicks, in Newcastle.

She said: "I decided towards the end of 1999 that I needed a change of direction, but took my time deciding and planning what would offer me new and different challenges.

"I'm delighted to say that so far I have been working with companies in retail, sport, education and most recently the medical sector, with Laserase Medical laser Centre, based at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle."

Other contracts include Newcastle Church High School, Northumberland County Council, cake manufacturer Grange Mill Foods in Seaham, a racehorse breeder in Northumberland and a power tool firm on Tyneside