INDUSTRIAL group Chieftain said last night that it had clinched two major contracts in Teesside which saw its workforce there grow to 260 in just over a year.

The Newcastle-based plc said its Wilton-based subsidiary company, R Blackett Charlton (RBC), had won business with chemical group BASF and Teesside Power Station operator px limited.

RBC opened its office at the Wilton Business Centre to provide engineering services to industry on Teesside, last February.

Since then, it has taken on 260 staff and it is still growing.

Chieftain chief executive Bill Taylor said: "I am delighted with the progress made by RBC on Teesside from a standing start just one year ago.

"I am confident that the ambitious goals we have set for the business will continue to be achieved."

RBC has won its two main contracts from Stockton-based AK Engineering Services.

Last year, the Chieftain Group reported profits of nearly £1m, following losses of £450,000 the year before.