A Batley-based video conferencing specialist has unveiled a huge expansion plan on the back of record demand.

Direct Visual Group (DVG) is aiming to more than treble its £2.5m turnover to £8m within the next three years.

The company is also planning to double its workforce, from 20 to 40, and will open a London office within the next few months.

The expansion drive follows a dramatic increase in the number of businesses who are opting for the 'virtual meeting' route and contacting DVG.

Chairman of Direct Visual, Mike Phillips, said: "In today's fast-moving, competitive business world, companies are reassessing the way they work to stay ahead of their competitors.

"Gone are the days when managers can afford to spend hours in meetings or enduring long-haul journeys across the country and, indeed, the world. Video-conferencing has proved to be a cost-effective solution and we have reaped the rewards in the emergence and growth of this new technology, and will continue to do so.

"We have seen a particular upturn within our business over the past few weeks, when one day we organised 16 video-conferences in one day, including eight simultaneously - our highest figure to date."

The company puts part of its recent success down to the current anxiety over air travel following the September 11 attacks.

But DVG, looking ahead to its open day a week tomorrow, insists business was already booming before the outrages.

The firm has Nissan, AstraZeneca, Kelloggs, and Reebok among its portfolio of leading multinational companies and is keen to add leading local firms to the list.

Mr Phillips said: "Through the open day we want to give companies across the region the chance to witness videoconferencing at first hand."

Details from Andrew Vaux or Amy Newport on (01924) 500433.