A HEATING and plumbing parts firm has taken another step in becoming a national brand after confirming a £300,000 expansion.

Flame Heating Spares has secured two sites in Glasgow and another in Edinburgh for trade counters.

Bosses say the deals will allow the business, headquartered in Gateshead, to build on its North-East roots.

They added the move will also create 25 jobs to cover director, branch management and supervisory roles.

John Savage, managing director, said: “This is a bold and ambitious move as we look to extend our presence to deliver further growth.

“We have enjoyed a great deal of success in the North- East, which I am hoping to replicate in Scotland.

“Launching three branches in two key Scottish cities is a major signal of intent, and the first step to making Flame a national brand.”

The company was founded in 2011 and now has a base on Dragonville Industrial Estate, on the outskirts of Durham City, as well as branches in Sunderland and Stockton.

It also has sites in South Shields, South Tyneside, and Ashington, Northumberland.