A house building firm was praised for its development of brownfield sites at the official opening of its new offices.

Skipton Properties last month moved to a new £750,000 headquarters at Crossings Business Park, Cross Hills, after it outgrew its original hometown base.

Last Friday the firm's staff, local mayors and deputy mayors and other dignitaries were invited to the official launch. Bradford's deputy mayor Cllr Grahame Thornton, upon unveiling the plaque, said: "Skipton Properties is recognised for its brownfield sites everywhere. I think that is very important."

The family-owned business was set up by Brian Verity 12 years ago. It currently employs more than 100 staff, with another 40 new jobs to be created on the back of the move and a 50 per cent growth in turnover.

The firm, which specialises in developing brownfield sites in the Skipton, Keighley and East Lancashire area, will build about 200 new houses and apartments in 2004.

Mr Verity said the time was right to move and added the number of staff could increase to around 150 at the end of the year.