TWO of the region's leading information and communications technology (ICT) firms have joined forces to become the North-East's biggest data protection service provider.

ICT management and data recovery experts, IT Professional Services (ITPS), of Gateshead, will work in partnership with DataBanx, part of the Onyx Group, which has its £5m centre in Newcastle.

Together the firms will provide a full range of service packages, including data management and protection, business continuity planning and on-site support.

Sales manager George Galloway said: "Managing and protecting business critical information, whether from terrorist attacks, power interruptions, or simple human error, has never been more important. Our expertise in ICT consultancy, business continuity planning, datacentre provisioning, integration and support is a natural fit with DataBanx' s facilities.