A FIREPLACE manufacturing business based in County Durham has unveiled plans to double its 20-strong workforce in the next 18 months.

Spirit Fires produces designer fireplaces at its workshop on Aycliffe Industrial Park, Newton Aycliffe.

It has bought the rights to CVO Fire products, which will be sold in the UK.

The company, set up by Andrew Munro and Christine McLoughlin, said its growing popularity in the North-East, and increasing brand awareness in the UK, will help it to bring more manufacturing and sales jobs to its Newton Aycliffe base.

Spirit Fires plans to increase its workforce to 40 by the end of next year.

Mr Munro, managing director of Spirit Fires, said: "Already we're working with showrooms, housebuilders, bars, hotels and restaurants, as well as individual homeowners, to supply our unique ranges all over the UK.

"There is a major demand for high-quality products."