THE kitchen firm headed by Sunderland Football Club chairman Bob Murray has confirmed it plans to float on the London Stock Exchange.

Yesterday, Omega confirmed rumours first circulating in December that it would float on the Alternative Investment Market (Aim).

The core business of the Doncaster firm is the design, manufacture and marketing of branded kitchen furniture for the rigid furniture market and the ready-to-assemble market.

The company, which sold about 11,000 kitchens last year, operates from a 205,000sq ft factory complex where it has created more than 180 jobs.

Mr Murray said: "This has always been a step that we planned for since conception of the company.

"The flotation will assist in raising our profile, both with customers and the industry and secure new money to allow us to continue developing our brands."