Great Yarmouth-based CLS Offshore has unveiled a 28pc growth in its turnover and launched its engineering department, barely two months after unveiling its new headquarters.

The oil, gas and renewable energy services company has created 12 new jobs – eight of them engineers – and has also reported a steady increase in orders.

And there was a bonus this week when CLS was awarded the prestigious health and safety OHSAS 18001 Certificate.

Managing director Steve Johnson, said: 'Our turnover is up from �9.4m to �12.1m and we want to see that grow by another 25pc in the coming 12 months.

'When we spent �300,000 on modernising the former council offices at Maltings House, and integrating our adjoining quayside site, our plan was to gradually expand into the first floor. But there has been such demand from customers that we have already opened our engineering department housing 14 people with more appointments to be made.

'It means we can now do engineering design work in-house whereas it would once have been outsourced and it's another step nearer our plans to create a one-stop-solution. Our development has been customer-led and there is a lot of work coming in. The OHSAS award is the icing on the cake, recognising that we work to the highest health and safety standards.'

The company, employing nearly 180 people, specialises in engineering, fabrication, construction, maintenance and installation work both onshore and offshore. Hopes are high that more jobs could follow if CLS is successful in its latest round of contract bids, while the company has established a progressive process for six apprentices, with two new ones to be taken on each year.

This will include both students and semi-skilled workers who want to step up and improve their talents.