Prince Andrew in visit to North firms

Dec 8 2006 By The Journal

Prince Andrew jetted into Tyneside yesterday to make his first ever visit to South Shields.

The Duke of York flew into Sunderland by helicopter to make a whistle-stop tour of some of the region's most successful export companies. He also lunched with business leaders at Maritime House at Tyne Dock, South Shields, to get a briefing on the development of the port.

The 46-year-old father-of-two toured Immunodiagnostic Systems Ltd (IDS) at Boldon Business Park, Solar Solve Marine at the Port and Walker Filtration at Glover Industrial Estate in Washington, in his capacity as the UK's special representative for International Trade and Investment.

All three companies are leading the way in taking North-East products overseas and winning contracts from across the globe.

The Duke was accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant for Tyne and Wear Nigel Sherlock.

After his visit, the North-East's UK Trade and Investment director David Coppock said the visit highlighted the impact companies in the region can have on an international level through "hard work, innovation and enterprise".