A CHORLEY-based telecommunications firm is celebrating after gaining a multi million pound contract.

The deal with North Korea is the latest in a string of lucrative contracts with the Far East for GPT Payphone Systems on Carr Lane in the town.

The company, which employs 400 people, will supply the country with GPT Sapphire payphones on the streets of Rajin Sonborg, the new free trade zone in North Korea.

This is the first time any western telecommunications firm has been able to break into the country's closed market.

Also included in the bumper package of orders are 100,000 phone cards, digital telephone exchange equipment and transmission systems.

In the past three years, the company has doubled its exports and sells its equipment to more than 60 countries including China, Thailand and Hong kong.

Earlier this year GPT won the Queens Award for Export and is Britain's leading supplier of telecommunication systems.

Jeff May, GPT marketing director, said: "This is a significant order and is a real investment for the future in North Korea."

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