SCOTTISH housebuilder Bett Homes has announced plans for a £45m expansion with the creation of a North-East division.

The new division, Bett North-East, will create more than 50 jobs over the next two years.

The company plans to target sites across the region, including two in County Durham, from new offices on Tyneside.

Stirling company Bett is due to start work building more than 100 homes on two sites in Crook and Langley Moor within the next month.

It is also looking at a further three sites as part of the expansion drive.

Bett Brothers Plc chief executive Ronnie Hanna said the plans signalled an exciting time in the company's development in the North of England.

He said: "While we are already one of Scotland's leading providers of quality homes, we are seeking to grow our business and expand our reputation into areas of huge potential, and the North-East falls into that category.

"The economy of the region has blossomed over the past few years and the creation of a new division in the North-East is a natural expansion for Bett.

"It also develops our presence in England and adds to our other division in the North- West."

Bett's plans for the region include a £5m development of 63 three and four-bedroom houses at West Road, Crook, and the £4.5m development of four-bedroom houses in Langley Moor, both County Durham.

David Barlow, managing director of the North-East division, said the company was looking to invest more than £15m on land in the region over the next year.

He said: "Apart from County Durham, we are close to securing further sites in the region which will have a development value of more than £30m.

"The company is keen to see more than 50 per cent of its business created in England within the next two years."

He added: "We believe our product will be well received in the North-East.

"It's a product of more than 50 years experience and is sensitive to the needs of local people."