A Norwich services company has clinched a cleaning and security contract in Northampton worth more than �1m in what it described as one of its 'hardest fought tenders'.

Norse Commercial Services has signed a three-year deal worth about �350,000 annually with Northampton College across its three sites.

Norse sales director Geoff Tucker said, 'This is a significant addition to our educational cleaning and security operations. It was one of the hardest fought tenders we have ever submitted and we are really looking forward to working with such a prestigious college.'

The college, one of the largest in the region, has about 13,000 students and employs more than 1,000 full and part-time staff.

'This is the first of a number of high-profile contracts and expansion plans that Norse will be announcing over the coming months,' Mr Tucker added.

'Building on all areas of the company's growing reputation, both within eastern England and other regions across the UK.'

Bob York, Northampton College deputy director of estates, added: 'We are looking forward to working with Norse because their knowledge of the public sector gives them a natural understanding of the budgetary pressures the Education sector is facing, and the need to achieve greater efficiencies.

'We look forward to seeing how their innovative and imaginative approach to cleaning and security management will achieve the cost reduction programme they have outlined.'