INSURANCE group BiB plans to double the size of its business over the next five years.

The Darlington-based insurer has pledged to significantly increase the £22m-worth of business it handles through its underwriting, personal lines and commercial departments.

Group chairman Martin Littleton said the company had doubled its income over the past five years and changes in the insurance and financial services market were opening up opportunities for it to take another leap forward.

"From the advent of web-based insurance to the reams of new regulations brought in by the Financial Services Authority, it is difficult to identify a sector that has changed so much in the past decade," he said.

"Our directors know there has never been a time when constant improvement and being in a position to seize opportunities has been more important to business survival than now. The growth will come across the group, with each director charged with achieving it in his division."

The strategy has already led to the commercial sales force in Northgate being increased. Up to 20 further jobs are expected to be created.

Mr Littleton said the plan was supported by fresh marketing initiatives and moves into new markets.

In December, BiB announced a partnership with national neighbourhood store chain Mills Group, to offer Mills Convenient Insurance, covering home, holiday, pet, motor and vehicle breakdown, direct to shoppers.

The development has taken BiB's name into Mills' 82 stores and to 500,000 customers a week in the North-East and Yorkshire, the Midlands and South Wales.

Last year, the group acquired Easipay taxi insurance, which has about 300 customers in the Darlington and Tees Valley area insuring up to 400 taxis. Plans to develop the Easipay business include offering vehicle finance, breakdown cover and insurance for taxi operators.

Mr Littleton said the marketing and business development teams would continue to explore fresh markets.

"A resource like that is unusual for a provincial insurance broker and financial services agency, but it reflects the investment the company has made and intends to continue to make in growth," he said.

Privately-owned and independent, BiB was founded in Bedale in 1981 by Mr Littleton, David Carter and Peter Atkinson, all of whom remain as directors.

The group employs more than 80 people at its underwriting headquarters in Valley Street and at its office in Northgate, looking after the needs of more than 20,000 clients.

The majority of clients come from within a 30-mile radius of Darlington, including many in the Dales, as BiB was originally based in Bedale, which is where the company's name comes from - Bedale Insurance Brokers.

Since then, the company has grown and now has clients in South Yorkshire and in Scotland.