ONE of the region's fastest growing companies is taking its success South and has secured its first ever store in the capital.

Men's retail chain The Officer's Club has exchanged contracts on a 3,500 sq ft flagship store right in the heart of London's West End.

The venue if the Marble Arch end of Oxford Street and will be a ,milestone for the firm.

The former Etam store is set to open as The Officer's Club next month.

As managing director Dave Charlton explained, the development marks its arrival as a major player in the UK retail scene.

"If our London debut on Oxford Street is as successful as we anticipate, we expect to open three or four stores in Central London very quickly."

The group has grown from only one store in Sunderland eight years ago to the national chain it is today.

But the store is not limiting its sights on just London, with expansion of the brand back in its birthplace - Sunderland town centre

Mr Charlton added: "Our sights are not only set on the south. Shoppers in our native North-East will soon see the arrival of another brand new store in the Bridges shopping centre in Sunderland - taking us back to our original roots."

The Officers Club now has more than 140 store nationwide, following the acquisition of 65 Hamells stores earlier this year.

The chain has stores in Darlington, The MetroCentre, Durham, Middlesbrough and Newcastle.