A Yeadon-based construction group has just completed its 1,000th high street bank or building society refurbishment.

Ellmore Construction Group's specialist Bank & Shopfitting division reached the milestone after 30 years with a renovation project at the Park Row branch of Lloyds TSB in Leeds.

Now the firm, with a turnover of just over £12.5 million and a workforce of 90, looks set to reach 2,000 in double quick time after contract gains with HSBC, Britannia, Abbey, Bank of Ireland and Lloyds TSB. .

Managing Director Steve Ellmore said: "We have a proven track record for delivering a quality service with a flexibility based around the customer's needs and over the last 30 years we've seen a number of trends develop.

"From setting up in-house coffee shops to consistently applying brand principles, we've seen a number of innovations in recent times.

"Many branches require extensive out of hours developments and we can provide the skill base and supply chain to fulfill these tasks thanks to the trust and goodwill we have built up.

"There are tight time scales on these kind of projects with work carried out in occupied premises but with minimum disruption to the client. There is also a demanding need for a consistently professional delivery and that is where we have edged out the competition.

"We have also just secured the contract to renovate the eight floors that lie above the Park Row Lloyds TSB so activity in this sector is really looking up!" added Mr Ellmore, whose firm worked on over 100 branches last year - a figure that is expected to be surpassed in 2006.