A CAR parts distributor has revealed plans to create more than 1,000 jobs after buying former Unipart Automotive branches.

Euro Car Parts has taken on 27 Unipart sites, including an outlet in Sunderland.

It comes after Unipart last month went into administration, with scores of North-East workers losing their jobs.

However, Martin Gray, Euro Car Parts chief executive, said the company had already made offers to more than 100 former Unipart workers, revealing it has plans to create 1,500 posts in the next 18 months.

He said: “This deal demonstrates our determination to deliver industry-leading levels of service and availability.

“Most importantly, we are optimistic that many ex-Unipart employees will now join us.”

Administrators KPMG said 1,244 workers lost their jobs after Unipart’s collapse, with more than 40 North-East workers affected.

Branches in Durham City, Newcastle, Sunderland and York closed, with a North-East hub also shutting.

A distribution hub and branch in Stockton, and a further branch in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, were transferred to parts supply business Andrew Page.

Unipart Automotive was controlled by H2 Equity Partners after the distribution business was sold by Unipart Group in 2011.