THE varying fortunes of North-East industry were brought home to Prince Andrew yesterday when he visited the region in his role promoting international trade and investment.

The Duke of York toured three County Durham companies that have secured new overseas orders totalling £600,000.

At Mechetronics, in Bishop Auckland, he discovered that a low-tech piece of plastic was one of the most important tools in a precision operation making solenoids for vending machines, anti-lock braking and computer printers all over the world.

Ironically, setter operator Sharon Barker, from St Helen Auckland, who showed the Prince how she used the 6in Bakelite offcut as a guide, is leaving Mechetronics next week after 30 years, one of 21 people being laid off because their work can be carried out cheaper in China.

The company recently secured a $1m deal with a US electronic domestic supplier, but is using Chinese workers for its bulk manufacturing.

The company's managing director, Dianne Sharp, said: "We have no choice because we have to offer competitive prices or lose out. We still have a very strong business here, which is a strong technical and service business and we intend to stay.

"The Prince seemed to understand the pressures we face."

At IMS Engineering, on Tursdale Business Park, near Durham, Prince Andrew talked to a six-strong team with a background in mining who have tapped into new recycling markets.

Exports now represent 75 per cent of a £600,000 turnover that tripled since the company was formed in 2000.

Neil Johnson demonstrated a specialist chain conveyor and a new glass bottle crushing machine for pubs and restaurants.

The Prince also opened a prototype and training area at ThyssenKrupp Automotive Tallent Chassis, in Newton Aycliffe, which supplies subframes, axles and suspension arms to car makers in the UK and abroad.