MALTON firm Harrison Construction is looking for 50 extra site craftsmen to work on a range of major contracts in the region. And more than 100 jobs could be created over the next 18 months, says Harrison's construction director Stephen Jenneson.

Harrison has launched a regionwide campaign to find suitably skilled site workers for projects in York, Scarborough, Whitby and beyond. Needed are bricklaying gangs, joiners, groundworkers, scaffolders, plasterers, foremen, forklift drivers and general labourers

Mr Jenneson said: "First and foremost we want to provide jobs for local people and already we are getting an excellent response to our campaign

"In an industry renowned for its feast or famine approach to work, we are offering continuity of employment on well managed sites to people with the right level of skill and commitment. We are hoping that local people will come forward to fill the vacancies."

Parent company, S. Harrison Developments Ltd, saw turnover double to £25 million last year, and that success has continued in 2000. Major projects in the region include the recently completed £15 million retail centre at Catterick and the new CPP call centre building at Holgate Park in York. The firm employs 180 with as many again on sub-contract. Latest projects include a new hotel in Piccadilly, York, extension of the York Innovation Centre at the University of York Science Park, a social housing scheme in Hornsea and a number of major developments in and around Scarborough.