A MASSIVE 8,000 sq ft extension at Smith Brothers, the Osbaldwick-based home improvement specialists, has been "topped out".

The ceremony, which extends the site in Link Road by a third, was attended yesterday by the Smith family, as well as representatives of the builders, William Birch & Sons.

It gives Smith Brothers much-needed warehousing and offices at a time of unprecedented expansion as well as future prospects. With fitting out, the total investment is estimated at about £250,000. Another five people are expected to be added to the 50 on the payroll over the next year.

Naturally the firm which designs, supplies and fits bespoke kitchens and bathrooms, has surfed the swelling tide in the buoyant housing market, but, says managing director Martin Smith, its contract division's operations have taken a quantum leap forward.

The firm, which has doubled its turnover in the past five years to about £6 million, has just completed a £500,000 contract for Crosby Homes, fitting high-spec kitchens and other appliances to 127 luxury flats in Leeds.

Now Mr Smith has high hopes of clinching contracts for several similar developments planned for York.

He said: "Another need for expansion was the success of our retail showrooms. People are looking for better quality for their budgets on kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms and we offer a one-stop-shop from design to completion, including co-ordinated walls, floors, ceilings, lighting, fabrics, wallpaper and window blinds."

At the ceremony was Martin's brother, Roger, trade director, as well as their father, Fred Smith, chairman, and Martin's wife, Helen, personnel director. Representing William Birch & Sons were David Holden, construction director, and Chris Birch, the property director, plus site manager Andy Gillyon.