AROUND 50 new jobs will be created in North Wales by a lawn firm which has boomed despite the recession.

Green Thumb Ltd, based in St Asaph, has seen an upturn in business as people invest in their homes rather than move house because of the credit crunch.

The company, with eight of its 186 branches in Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Wrexham and Oswestry, has predicted a 25% growth in business over the next two years.

Its annual turnover is expected to hit £100m by 2012.

Last night, managing director Jeff Williams said the company is benefiting from customers with a static home-base.

He said: “The main reason that people leave us is because they’re moving but because it is proving difficult for people to sell their properties they are investing more time and money in their homes.

“We are incredibly excited about the potential for our business which has picked up a lot over the last 10 to 12 years.”

Green Thumb maintains and repairs garden lawns and will create 1,000 new jobs in total across the UK over the next three years.

The roles will include admin staff, managers, operatives and workers who provide quotes for customers at it’s St Asaph HQ.

David Collison, GreenThumb’s marketing manager, said: “We’ve grown steadily year on year over the past two-and- a-half decades, but since the recession our growth has accelerated dramatically.

“In fact, we have just recorded the most successful March in GreenThumb's history.

“People are deciding to improve their properties rather than move. If they’re not going away so much in the slump they want to enjoy their gardens.”

He also pointed out that the professional service the company provides costs less than DIY lawn treatment products on sale in stores.

The boom means GreenThumb is also seeking more franchisees to run regional branches.

Last night, Vale of Clwyd MP Chris Ruane said: “I congratulate Green Thumb on their success and strongly welcome the fantastic news that they are bringing more jobs to the area.

“Once again a premier Welsh company is leading the way in fighting against the recession by creating 1,000 jobs across the UK.”

Green Thumb treats lawn problems such as moss, weeds and fungal diseases.

A statement released by the firm said: “To cope with the increase in demand, GreenThumb will recruit around 50 more staff.”