THE UK'S largest housebuilder has revealed plans to create about 3,000 new jobs.

Barratt Developments says it wants to expand its workforce after the Government announced an extension of its Help to Buy scheme to 2020.

The company, founded by North-East property tycoon, Sir Lawrie Barratt, says it will raise its number of working sites from 380 to 450 to increase building rates.

The move would lift workforce numbers to about 21,000.

Last month, Barratt told The Northern Echo it was looking to recruit 1,100 apprentices and trainees, including a number from the North-East, after recording a five-year sales high.

Mark Clare, Barratt Developments' chief executive said: “As the land we are buying today is for the homes we will be building in 2016 and beyond, the industry needed a longer term framework for Help to Buy.

“We can now invest with more confidence and continue to increase production creating 3,000 new jobs on our sites, and also supporting the 5,500 suppliers that work with us.”