A COLCHESTER building contractor has won a £1million contract - with the help of the local council's website.Marfleet Building Contractors was invited to tender for the contract, to revamp 74 flats for the University of Essex, by a Leeds-based company which identified Marfleet from Colchester Borough Council's online business directory.

A COLCHESTER building contractor has won a £1million contract - with the help of the local council's website.

Marfleet Building Contractors was invited to tender for the contract, to revamp 74 flats for the University of Essex, by a Leeds-based company which identified Marfleet from Colchester Borough Council's online business directory.

Steve Marfleet, of Marfleet Building, said: "This site has helped businesses from outside the area find locally based companies to carry out work for them, who they ordinarily have difficulty in finding.

"It has helped create employment for many of the 60 people engaged on this contract, with most of the trades involved living in the Colchester and north Essex area."

Don Henshall, Colchester council's portfolio holder for business, added: "This is a brilliant example of a local firm getting a contract and more jobs for local people, thanks to one of our services."