Thirty jobs are to be created at a caravan retailer as part of big expansion plans.

Barrons' Darlington branch is to get £1.5m investment in a move which will double the firm's showroom size.

The announcement comes on the back of the outlet's best season to date which has seen turnover up by 20 per cent.

The Burtree Gate dealership, established in 1994, has already had £60,000 spent on a new canopy to house the display of folding campers and trailer tents all year round.

Further plans include the extension as well as additional car parking and landscaping.

The expansion plans follow flourishing motorhomes sales - turnover rocketed by 34 per cent to the end of August.

Nick Markl, managing director at Barrons, said: "The hard work and dedication of our superb sales teams here at Burtree have been key factors in maximising the opportunities presented by this extraordinary year in the caravan industry.

"A pro-active marketing strategy has also encouraged increasing numbers of customers to pass through our doors.

"We are delighted with our achievements this year and intend to build on our success by embarking on a major investment which will create the premier retail leisure vehicle facility in the North East."

Barrons has just bought a body repair operation at Whessoe Road in Darlington from Crossley Coachcraft to ensure that they have the facilities to handle any additional demands on the aftersales area of the business.