Sunderland-based Complement Genomics's dadcheck testing service has received a record number of inquiries during the first weeks of 2009.

Business grew steadily during last year but the unprecedented swell in activity since New Year has come as a surprise for boss Louise Allcroft.

She said: "We have been astonished at the level of interest in DNA testing following the holidays.

"The level of interest shown clearly indicates that people see resolution of relationship issues as a high priority.

"We know that this is a busy time for divorce lawyers, and the high number of inquiries that we have received indicates that this also applies to paternity."

The dadcheck service conducts tests to establish whether there is a genetic relationship between family members – most commonly paternity tests for parent and child.

The nine-year-old company was accredited to the highest agreed laboratory standard in 2008, which has enabled it to take on court-directed testing. Much of its work now is on behalf of the legal profession.

Louise, who has more than 14 years' experience in DNA and human identification testing, has been chief executive at Complement Genomics since 2003.

The company, based at the Business and Innovation Centre, employs five full-time staff.

"A rise in demand for the services we provide is of course welcomed at any time of year, but we also encourage parents to focus on what is best for children and not make hasty decisions that they may later regret," said Louise.