NORTH-East IT firm Waterstons has reaffirmed its faith in Durham as a business location by becoming the first company to move to one of the county's newest business parks.

With help from County Durham Development Company (CDDC) and Durham County Council, Belmont Business Park has been chosen by IT consultancy Waterstons as the place to relocate its 31 staff operation, following successful growth over its six year existence.

Waterstons - currently based at Dragon Lane in Durham City - provides business and computer expertise to firms of all types and sizes and was recently shortlisted in a national awards scheme for its work for a Darlington-based salvage operation.

It is set to move to a new 5,200sq ft office at Belmont Business Park in December.

Managing director of Waterstons, Mike Waterston, said: "Durham is the perfect base for us as our work is predominantly in the North and, because we are between Tyneside and Teesside, we are handy for both areas as well as Wearside and Cumbria.

"The help we have had from the CDDC has been invaluable. We have been able to source a grant from the DTI as well as obtaining rates relief from Durham City and Durham County Council."

Managing director of CDDC, Ken Frankish, added: "This is a real success story and everyone involved with Waterstons can be extremely proud. Belmont is an ideal location for them and we hope they are the first of many to locate there."

The Helios/Whelan Partnership developed the site.

Richard Wilks from the company said: "It's great to have our first occupier at the business park.

"The team has all worked hard to provide a building product and environment which is the equal of any in the region.

Waterstons clients include South Shields textile and clothing importers Visage, Conroys Furniture, ICI Methanol in Billingham and Marlow Foods in Stokesley