MORE than 100 jobs will be created in Swindon with the opening of a new house-building and renovating centre.

That's the claim of BuildStore, which is opening a self-build and home improvement centre in the town in spring next year.

It is aimed at people who, rather than buying a house, want to organise building and designing their own after purchasing a plot of land.

The centre will be built just behind the Hilton Hotel near junction 16 of the M4 and will be the country's largest permanent showcase for renovation and building your own home.

BuildStore says it hopes the Swindon store, which will be bigger than a football pitch, will attract about 30,000 visitors from all over England in the first year.

It also hopes it will raise the company's turnover from £5 million to £25 million within three years.

Raymond Connor, the founder and managing director of BuildStore, said: "The forthcoming centre is not only great news for BuildStore and the self- build and renovation industry but also for Swindon and the surrounding area.

"A visitor attraction of this size will drive thousands of people into the area, adding to Swindon's success and prosperity.

"We hope that within a very short time, the National Self-Build and Home Improvement Centre will become an integral part of the town's culture."

BuildStore's building operations director Tim Doherty said: "The permanent exhibition will contain answers to all the mysteries of building your own house.

"There will be displays and audiovisual equipment so you can understand the choices such as what bits of plant to hire and what plant to buy.

"It will also provide help with finding technology that is available in plumbing and electrics."

About 20,000 people build or renovate homes each year which makes them as a group the largest housebuilder in the country.

Mr Doherty said: "Obviously the economy is a very important factor and land is scarce.

"But what we have found is that there's a need for somewhere for people to go to understand the hoops and hurdles they need to get through."

As well as the displays and information about building your own home, there will also be a 200-seater seminar room with a regular programme of relevant talks.

Displays and information about BuildStore's partner companies, such as Jewson, that provide various services in the building process, will also be on show at the store.