ESTATE agency Sarah Mains Residential expects to create at least 30 jobs after acquiring two rival businesses.

The Tyneside company is also planning to increase turnover by a third within three years after acquiring David Warden, of Washington, Wearside, and Northumbrian Estates in Heaton, Newcastle, taking the number of its North-East offices to six.

Sarah Mains, which has been trading for six years, has recently increased its workforce from 85 to more than 100, and expects to take on a minimum of 30 people in the foreseeable future.

Co-owner Sarah Mains said: "We have had a number of approaches from fellow estate agents keen to sell to us following industry changes.

"We have considered every approach seriously, with David Warden and Northumbrian Estates offering the best opportunities for us, both geographically and through their current client base.

"We anticipate that these acquisitions will boost our annual sales by 33 per cent by 2010, and we look forward to getting our feet under the table at both new branches."

Sarah Mains set up the company on Tyneside with co-owner Paul McKie in 2001 at its office in Beaconsfield Road, Low Fell.

It also has offices in Jesmond, West Road, Newcastle, and in Whickham.