MILLIONAIRE businessman Duncan Bannatyne has added 24 health clubs to his empire in a deal worth £90m.

The entrepreneur's Bannatyne Fitness chain - which has its administrative headquarters in Darlington - outbid a number of rival groups to buy the LivingWell Premier clubs.

The agreement struck with owner Hilton International means Bannatyne Fitness now runs 61 health clubs across the UK and will see its workforce of 1,300 more than double.

Last night, Mr Bannatyne told The Northern Echo that 15 full-time jobs would be created at the Darlington headquarters as a result of the business deal - his largest to date.

The 52-year-old, who stars in the third series of TV's Dragon's Den and is thought to be worth about £168m, said: "This demonstrates the confidence and optimism we have in the UK health club sector.

"There is a strong desire for good facilities, in the right place and at the right price."

Bannatyne Fitness is already the UK's largest independent health club operator and will now have a combined membership of gym users of 180,000.

Managing director Nigel Armstrong said: "The LivingWell clubs are regarded as an ideal fit for our business and their locations will allow us to reach every major centre of population on the mainland.

"The new, larger business will provide excellent opportunities for staff development and training and will be in a position to attract the highest calibre of staff as it continues to grow."

Mr Bannatyne, who lives in Wynyard, near Stockton, had the idea for the fitness chain ten years ago when he was recovering from a skiing accident and could not find facilities to help with his rehabilitation.

He sold his residential care home business, Quality Care Homes, and used some of the proceeds to set up his first fitness club on Teesside.

In addition to the fitness chain, the Bannatyne group now includes hotels, casinos, bars and, most recently, housing developments.