Facebook opens UK engineering base

Facebook opened an engineering office in the UK today - the first of its type outside the United States (Getty Images)

Facebook opened an engineering office in the UK today - the first of its type outside the United States.

Staff at the site in London will start work later this month on projects including mobile products.

Facebook vice president of engineering Mike Schroepfer, who attended the opening with Chancellor George Osborne, said: "We're excited to be building our first major European engineering centre in a city that is rapidly emerging as a global technology hub.

"The London engineering team will play a crucial role in development of future products and core technology for Facebook. I can't wait to see what they build here."

London mayor Boris Johnson said: "London boasts a fantastic wealth of digital talent with an ever-expanding pool of young innovators and tech entrepreneurs.

"The arrival of Facebook's new engineering team is a clear sign of confidence which underpins our city's status as a world-leading centre for digital businesses."

PA