The operators of Sheringham Shoal Offshore Windfarm have added eight staff to the workforce looking after the project off the North Norfolk coast.

The new recruits - all from Norfolk - include six technicians and two warehouse personnel.

With the warranty period on the 88 turbines running out in the summer, the technicians will strengthen the fault diagnostics and reactive maintenance team working out of Wells.

The staff have been recruited by Statkraft, one of the two Norwegian companies that own the 317MW windfarm,

with the support of East Anglian recruitment specialists Cooper Lomaz.

The technicians, who will be working mainly offshore, will be led by Richard Nunn, a qualified electrical engineer from Fakenham, who has been with the company for over three years.

He said: 'I was recruited to support the commissioning process during the construction phase of the wind farm, where I gained my experience.

'These latest appointments are part of a planned development in keeping with Statkraft's policy of hiring local people where possible. I feel a great sense of pride in the development of our plant and personnel, and I'm looking forward to leading this highly-efficient team.'

A specialist roadshow has been launched to offer free expert information and advice to ensure businesses make the most of the East of England's booming energy industry

Nearly 50 people attended the initial session in Norwich which moves on to Suffolk, Essex and Cambridge.

The roadshows are being run by EEEGR, the East of England Energy Group, as part of its supply chain development programme - part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. It allows companies in the region to find the support they need to develop growth plans and win new contracts.

'There are massive opportunities for the region from the multi-billion pound development of offshore windfarms, the resurgence of the offshore gas sector and the expected progress of Sizewell C nuclear power station,' said Simon Gray, EEEGR chief executive.

'Our fear is that the region's businesses could miss out because they don't recognise the opportunities or maybe think they are not relevant enough or don't know enough about the industry to understand how they could become involved.'

Details of roadshow dates and venues are available from www.eeegr.com or by calling the EEEGR team on 01493 446535.