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THE business technology company Gemini Group has grown from a standing start to achieve turnover of £4m a year.

Now it is looking to expand further.

The firm at Harraby Green Business Park, Carlisle, is targeting new business in Cumbria and the north east, and is working with Google and Yell to help achieve this as well as signing up for CN Group's business accelerator programme.

Managing director David Labram and business partner David Thompson set up the business in 1999.

Initially, it was known as Gemini Communications and specialised in phone systems and equipment.

Within two years, it had expanded into networking, covering services such as broadband, data and mobile communications.

Then in 2012 it moved into the IT market, covering the likes of cloud computing, business and school support and wireless networking.

The group is also a major supplier of photocopiers and CCTV systems.

It employs 30 people and is still looking to recruit. It has always been at Harraby Green, moving into bigger offices as it grew, and remains committed to the area even though it now clients across the UK.

Mr Labram, 49, grew up in Harraby and was educated at Pennine Way Primary School and Harraby Secondary School.

He still lives in this part of Carlisle.

He said: "I think the secret is just offering good service."

"We are trying to expand into the north east and we are running with Yell and Google."

This will involve search engine optimisation to ensure the company's name comes up when people search Google for its services

It is also taking part in CN Group's business accelerator programme, which will involve 12-month push across all the company's platforms.