Facebook is to create 500 roles at a new London headquarters next year.

According to a BBC report, London-based Facebook executive Nicola Mendelsohn, announcing the move at the Confederation of British Industry conference today, revealed the social media giant is to double its numbers of employees. 

It will hire 500 additional employees, including engineers, marketers, project managers and sales staff, with most of its staff based at Facebook's new headquarters in Fitzrovia, at a site that is currently undergoing redevelopment.

Last week search engine Google announced plans to move into a new London location capable of housing 7,000 employees.