AN early-warning IT system launched by a computer consultancy firm has prevented one of its clients' businesses from breaking down.

The MindIT system is designed to pick up on computer problems and repair them before the client is aware of them.

It has been developed by Waterstons' business support team, based in County Durham.

The National Salvage Group, which provides motor vehicle salvage services to many of the UK's leading insurance companies, had the system installed at its headquarters in Darlington.

On the first day, the system picked up a serious problem on the e-mail server.