A DESIGN company praised by legendary Hollywood actor Kirk Douglas has upped stakes in London and come to York.

The company, 2h, which created the book jacket for the star's novel, Dance With The Devil, was lured away from Waterloo to England's ancient capital by York Inward Investment Board.

Ned Hoste, started the firm with his partner, Alison Hepburn (hence the 2h title), in 1987 and its arrival at Haxby was today greeted with enthusiasm by James Houston, a core partner in the newly-formed "Creation", York's convergent media network.

"It will be a very welcome addition to a growing skills base of talented new media companies operating in York.

"There's a great spirit of collaboration here and we look forward to working closely with 2h on some of the exciting new media design projects being set up," said Mr Houston.

Mr Hoste now intends to extend his already wide range of freelance contributors, including photographers and copywriters into North Yorkshire.

The Dance With The Devil design was an early breakthrough for the company.

Mr Hoste recalls: "I was working on the movie star's book in the second bedroom of a pokey flat in Peckham and he would send me faxes - 'from the desk of Kirk Douglas, Beverley Hills Hotel'. If only he knew!"

But his work earned him Kirk's note of gratitude: "To Ned - with my deepest thanks for the best design of any jacket of my book ..."

Among 2h's latest successes is Bushcraft by BBC2 Outward Bound presenter Ray Mears which has soared into the top five non-fiction best sellers' list.

Mr Hoste's ability to create corporate identities, brochures, calendars and magazine covers also earned 2h's acceptance into the Guild of Mastercraftsmen in 1999.

Clients include The Criminal Bar Association, the Museum of Childhood, the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh and The Arts Council.

Mr Hoste said: "I've been looking to relocate from London for some years to escape the soaring costs and serious transport problems in the capital. York quickly emerged as the preferred location with a combination of good infrastructure, and opportunities to develop new business and to participate in the digital community.

"The Inward Investment Board was very helpful in providing information about the York business community and the business initiatives based around Science City York and the digital arts community."

Dave Taylor, marketing director of York Inward Investment Board, said: "The arts and media community in York is really starting to make people sit up and take notice."

Updated: 09:51 Tuesday, April 09, 2002