A NORTH-East furniture retailer is to expand nationwide next year.

DP Furniture Express, formerly Durham Pine, hopes to become one of the top furniture retailers in the country.

The group said it planned to float on the stock marketnext year to fund acquisitions across the UK, as well as opening ten to 15 stores.

DP is opening a distribution centre at Liverpool Docks next month to give it a cheaper supply chain.

The centre, which will create 50 warehouse and distribution jobs, will handle products arriving from Brazil, Malaysia, China, Taiwan and India, as well as Europe.

DP has 41 stores and a further 39 franchises, together employing nearly 500 people.

John Marshall, chief executive, said: "Further growth and development is planned through franchise growth and acquisition throughout the year. We are continuing to build a dynamic senior management team, coupled with more than 20 years of knowledge and experience in the business, and it is this blend of youth and experience that will help drive our strategic goals and objectives forward."