Communication specialists Link Telecom has opened an new outlet in Skipton as part of an expansion.

The centre, at a former optician's shop in Keighley Road, is its first in North Yorkshire and creates an eight-strong branch network.

Margaret Brown, who worked at the Keighley showroom for two years, has been appointed manager and Stephen Brown, of Silsden, has been taken on as sales assistant.

The move forms part of Link Telecom's £500,000-plus investment in a business development programme to underpin expansion of the company in the regional telecoms sector.

This has involved relocation to new head office in Keighley and the launch before the end of the year of three new branches, of which Skipton is the second. Established primarily as a retail outlet, the Skipton showroom also supports Link Telecom's business-to-business operation.

Link Telecom Director Mike Bower said: "We are now one of the last remaining independent communications companies in our operating area with direct network relationships.

"Maintaining such independence allows us offer impartial advice and negotiate the most competitive terms from the networks, which can then be passed on to the customer."

Mr Bower set up Link Telecom in 1987, working from a tiny room in Riddlesden. He went into partnership with fellow director Bryan Kirkby, and Link Telecom opened its first showroom in Keighley in the early 1990s, followed by outlets in Halifax and Bradford in 1993, Huddersfield and Leeds in 1998, Wakefield last year and Barnsley.