Fingerprint door lock specialist UK Biometrics is to launch 32 franchise offices across the country, creating more than 100 jobs.

The North Tyneside company has grown fast to generate turnover of around £1m but is now aiming to go nationwide inside eight months through franchising.

And managing director Matt James has taken on two big names in franchising to help - Barry Clayton, of Mortgage Advice Centre fame, and Terry Rainback, who is well known for his work with Pubmaster.

UK Biometrics employs a team of 20 at its base in Killingworth, but has enjoyed a high profile through media interest in its innovative products.

The company's fingerprint locks, access control systems and safes have captured the public imagination for leaving behind the need to carry keys, to rely on a simple use of an individual's fingerprint to grant access.

Now Mr James is aiming to take his products to all corners of the UK and expects them to generate a minimum turnover for UK Biometrics of £150,000 to £175,000 per week. The idea was recently launched at The Franchise Exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham and attracted interest as the world's first biometric franchise.

Mr James said he received more than 300 inquiries for the 32 franchise regions and the successful applicants will be inducted and trained at UK Biometrics' head office in Killingworth between now and June 2007.

The franchising move will secure the jobs of UK Biometrics' existing staff and create six more at head office in Killingworth, as well as indirectly creating around 100 nationwide.

Mr James said: "This is a tremendously exciting development at a time when the biometrics market in the UK is set to explode.

"People are comparing the market with the early days of mobile telephones and the internet. We are naturally being selective as to who we appoint since the generous franchise regions will all support businesses with a sales force.

"We are in very safe hands with Barry and Terry - they are an `A' team to run the franchise side of things."

But why did UK Biometrics choose franchising, rather than taking on its own staff, in its own offices? Mr James said: "To expand, we had two choices - either employ 100 sales-based staff very quickly, where we would have had logistical and HR problems, or go with these `regional offices.'

"And the calibre of people we've got applying for these franchises is great.

"There's an ex-director of Marks & Spencer, someone who was with Laing O'Rourke - they really are high calibre professionals."