The Press Association has announced plans for a new multi-million pound headquarters in the town of Howden, near Leeds.

PA has had an office there for several years but decided to make it the centre of its northern operations when office space in Leeds became limited.

The new HQ for the news and sport information provider will cover 36,000sq ft of office space on the site of an old police station and magistrates’ court.

PA director John Spencer said: “We have submitted a planning application for a building to fit into an historic market town.

“The PA has a long history in Howden and this new project is evidence of our belief that we can recruit the high quality of staff we need in this area.”

The new building will house state-of-the-art IT and communications facilities as well as training suites and related facilities.

The company expects to bring up to 400 full-time and a further 100 part-time jobs to the area in the next two years as a result of the expansion.

Mr Spencer said: “We have been delighted by the quality of local people coming to us. There is no doubt that jobs in the media are much sought after and we have a wide range of opportunities in the news and sport journalism, editorial production and related skills. What is important is that we are also on the look out for people to work in the IT and accounting and financial disciplines.

“This is a major investment in the town and we are confident we have a development which will receive the support of local people, business and the planning authority.”

The new building will house the page-ready department, where television and sports listings several newspapers in the UK and Ireland.

The sports department will also be based in the new offices, providing international coverage of football, cricket and racing.

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