A RAPIDLY-expanding recruitment firm plans to branch out nationally in the near future.

Newcastle company North-East Workforce has taken on 16 new employees in the past eight months, more than quadrupling its workforce from five to 21.

The company, which started out in industrial recruitment in 1996, plans to open offices in Leeds and Nottingham, rebranding itself as the New Group.

Recruiting in areas including sales, the public sector, promotions, engineering, catering and construction, the company is keen to get involved in the nursing, teaching and legal divisions.

Director Alan Lisle said: "We see ourselves as a major player in the regeneration of the North-East, complementing our traditional industrial roots with the addition of multi-disciplined executive sectors.

"Our portfolio is ever-expanding."