A FURNITURE manufacturer with plans to create more than 100 jobs has opened its new premises.

Houghton and Washington East MP Fraser Kemp did the honours at Sheraton's of Politura, in Hetton-le-Hole.

With assistance from Business Link Tyne and Wear and specialist consultants Alan Stokoe Associates, Sheraton's opened for trading in November.

It employs 62 staff, but hopes to see that figure rise by another 40 by the end of January.

The company makes bedroom and entertainment furniture, selling direct to the retail trade.

The company's new range of products will be launched at the Furniture Show at the Birmingham NEC later this month.

Sheraton's director Mark Goldstein said: "This is a great day for us and it's a culmination of a great deal of hard work by everyone.

"We are delighted that Fraser Kemp has agreed to open our premises and hopefully this is just the start of an ongoing success story.

"We were able to get up and running very quickly thanks to the help and advice we received from Business Link Tyne and Wear and Alan Stokoe Associates. We are confident that we can become a major employer in this area."

Mr Kemp said: "The jobs created by ambitious companies such as Sheraton's are vital to the economy of this community. Mr Goldstein and his employees deserve a great deal of credit for making this company such a success story in such an incredibly short space of time."

Harold Gartside, of Business Link Tyne and Wear said: "The creation of such a large number of jobs is really good news for the area and I look forward to having an ongoing relationship with the management team and assisting with the development of the company and its staff."