A mortgage company is planning to expand its business across the UK.

Amity Direct, in Darlington, is to open offices in London, Edinburgh and Cardiff as part of an expansion drive designed to increase sales by 300 per cent.

The company specialises in flexible mortgages for borrowers who do not fit the criteria set by high street banks such as the self-employed and borrowers with a poor credit rating. Amity offers a series of mortgages to brokers who deal directly with the public.

Plans to open the centres will lead to 40 jobs being created throughout the country during the next 12 months.