A North-East motor retailer is driving into bigger premises only two years after the firm started.

Pulman's £2.6m Volkswagen garage at Abbey Road, on the outskirts of Durham City, opens this month as it moves from premises at Framwellgate Moor. The new building trebles the space available and includes a showroom, workshop, Internet cafe and office facilities for customer use.

It will also be showing off its Investor in People award, handed over by Business Link County Durham.

Managing director Mike Pulman said the company now employed more than 50 people after starting with 17.

"Gaining Investor in People is important for us, especially at a time of rapid expansion, because we will need to attract more high calibre staff.

"It demonstrates that we value people as our most important asset.

"We have gained the standard in just a few months and are delighted to be the first motor retailer in County Durham to achieve it."

Janet Skeen, IIP advisor for Business Link County Durham, said: "We hope that other motor retailers in County Durham will follow Pulman's lead as the enthusiasm of local organisations has taken County Durham to top place in the region and fifth nationally for successful IIP awards."