A GROWING construction firm has secured a £1.5m contract to transform a North-East town into a tourist haven.

NCS, in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, will play a pivotal role in the regeneration of Amble, in Northumberland.

Bosses say the project will create a small business village on the town’s harbour, delivering a host of new jobs.

The firm, which employs more than 60 staff, will build 15 retail pods, a seafood centre and create a waterside promenade.

It will also work on a new home and storage for the Coquet Shorebase Trust watersports centre, at Druridge Bay Country Park.

Work is already under way on the 31-week scheme.

Sean Anderson, NCS director, said the contract reiterated the rapid growth of the company, which was established in 2002.

He said: “This is a very rewarding project to be working on as it will make a real difference to Amble by helping to create new jobs and attract visitors from afar.

“As a contract, it also demonstrates our breadth of capability as it comprises both our building and civil engineering expertise.”

Earlier this year, The Northern Echo reported how NCS, formerly known as Northern Construction Services, was looking to double turnover to £20m after completing work on a medieval landmark.

The company previously carried out a project at Black Gate, in Newcastle, refurbishing a reception and exhibition space, building an oak-clad external lift and working on a dungeon in the city’s castle keep.

The Black Gate, which was the last addition to the city’s castle defences, was built between 1247 and 1250 in the reign of Henry III to act as a gateway to an earlier castle gate.

At the time, the company also took on business development director Jonathan Selwood-Hogg to support Mr Anderson and fellow director David Gardner.

Mr Anderson added: “It’s an exciting time for us.

“We have built a great reputation in the North-East for our commitment to getting the job done right and for the innovative way we deal with more complex projects.”

NCS’ order book boasts a plethora of work in the region.

Previous projects include the installation of an under-stage floor and orchestra pit at Sunderland Empire Theatre and fitting of a drainage system at Newcastle International Airport’s fire training ground.

It has also extended and refurbished the RNLI boathouse in Staithes, North Yorkshire, and built concrete pits for PD Ports at Hartlepool dock.