DOTCOM company Bedsearcher has created eight jobs in less than three months as part of its growth plan.

The award-winning Internet booking firm, at www.bed searcher.co.uk, plans to increase bookings from £4m to £40m during the next year.

The Darlington company has recruited telemarketing professionals, client managers for its hotel support centre and extra staff for its IT department.

Founders Jim Mann and Gill Chapple hope the company can become a leader in Europe in the next 12 to 18 months.

Mr Mann said: "Things are going extremely well.

"In January, we said we would create more than 20 new jobs over the coming year and we are already ahead of target."