A CLEANING business that started in a North Yorkshire farmhouse only two years ago has announced plans to recruit 42 staff.

Platinum Services GB Limited will nearly double its workforce when it takes on the workers.

The company's recruitment drive coincides with its move to new headquarters in Brompton-on-Swale, North Yorkshire, next month.

Platinum, which provides domestic and commercial cleaning services, began its operation from a farmhouse in Richmond.

Managing director Simon Dixon said the company, which is predicting a turnover of £1m by the end of the year, made remarkable progress since its formation.

Mr Dixon said: "We started from scratch two years ago. At the time, we were running the whole business from the top floor of a farmhouse, so we have made fantastic strides forward.

"In the market place we are involved in, there is a very high standard and I felt there was a need to inject a really quality service. We are not the cheapest, but I think our customers value the fact that we do a very thorough job."

Platinum, which employs 52 staff, has cleaning contracts throughout the UK.

About three-quarters of the company's work is carried out for commercial organisations, with the rest coming from domestic contracts.

The business has so far been trading at a loss, but is expecting to declare its first profit this year.

Mr Dixon, who founded the company, previously worked for HSF Plant Hire and Scottish & Newcastle Brewery.

He is also a former Royal Navy chef.

He said: "We want to continue to grow. If you do a good job, people come back.

"We have ten vans on the road at the moment, so things are very busy."

He said the headquarters move and recruitment meant there was a great deal of optimism at the company.

"It is an exciting time for everyone involved," he said. "Cleaning is a dirty business to be in, but it is also a lot of fun."