A mortgage advice company which wants to double in size says there is no room to expand in Bolton - forcing it to leave the town.

Homebuyers Advice Centre, founded 10 years ago by Shaun Evans and currently based in New Hall Lane, is preparing for a move to a specially built headquarters complex at Charnock Richard, near Chorley.

The firm is looking to recruit 50 new staff, doubling the total size of its present team.

Mr Evans said: "We moved into our existing offices in Bolton two years ago, expecting to be there for at least five years.

"But our business has grown much faster than expected and the office is bursting at the seams, so we have made plans to move to the new location, where we will have room to meet the increasing demand from clients."

The purpose-designed Homebuyers Advice Centre complex is currently under construction and will comprise 5,000 square feet of offices. Opening is scheduled for May.

Last month, Zentec Solutions, an education IT support business that employs 40 people in St Mark's Street warned that it may leave Bolton because it cannot expand in the town.

Zentec has been hailed by Ivan Lewis, the Minister for Skills and Vocational Education, for the "crucial" work it does within the education sector across the North-west.

But founder and chief executive Andy Ramsden said the company could be forced out of Bolton.

"We are desperate to relocate and expand," said Mr Ramsden.

"I wanted to buy a site and build a new headquarters, but there is simply no land available.

"And the cost of renting is just too high. I want to spend money expanding a successful Bolton business, not on rental space."