A TRAILBLAZING estate agent which has shunned traditional methods of selling has promised to become one of the biggest employers in north west Kent.

Founder of Bexley-based H for Homes Raj Dhonota says his company can create almost 3,500 jobs in the region over the next five years.

Dartford-born entrepreneur Mr Dhonota claims this is because the company, which operates through a network of property consultants across all DA and BR post-codes, is not tied down to high street branches.

H for Homes uses direct marketing and the internet to reach out to buyers and sellers rather than relying on people visiting a branch.

Mr Dhonota, 26, who still lives in Dartford, said: “I have a great affection for north Kent because it is where I grew up.

“Everyone knows the south-east is the most vibrant region in the country and has the highest level of skilled workers.

“North west Kent will continue to grow economically in the next few years and will attract a lot of skilled personnel, not just from this area but also from London.

“H for Homes has grown substantially in the last 12 months and we will have absolutely no problem sustaining that level of growth.”

News Shopper property sales manager Jayne Short said: “There was always going to be a point where the internet impacted heavily on the property industry and so there are currently several different ideas being bandied around.

“H for Homes' selling point is that it is all via a freephone number. Here at News Shopper we have our own ideas for internet development such as launching property sites for Bexley and Lewisham to complement our already successful Bromley site.”

The jobs, Mr Dhonota says, will be created year-on-year by extending its workforce of consultants, sales negotiators and administrators based on the company's predicted increase of its market share.

At present, the agency employs about 60 staff co-ordinated from its sales centre in Bexley and is currently looking for new premises.