A WELLAND-based training company has won new contracts in Australia.

Members of Nelson Training went Down Under to drum up new trade.

During the trip last summer, arranged by the New South Wales and Queensland chambers of commerce, the firm demonstrated its special drama-based training system to over 90 potential clients in Sydney and Brisbane.

Some of Australia's biggest organisations came along and now the company is returning in April this year to work with four clients.

Managing director Viv Nelson said: "Our trip last year was part funded by a scheme known as the passport scheme, run by the Chamber of Commerce to help British firms export.

"It's paid off, with new enquiries coming in by the day from those who met us last year."

Whilst Viv and her two actors were in Australia last year, they also auditioned seven Sydney-based actors and can now bring some local authenticity to the training sketches with their new recruits.

One of their clients is the famous Taronga Zoo, in Sydney.

"The location is stunning and we will get to see parts of the zoo not normally open to the public," said Viv.

Other clients include the NSW Chamber, the British Consulate and KeyCorp, which is also based in Melbourne.

Two years ago, Nelson Training won an MHDC Platinum Business Award. It now has 120 clients, working in six countries.