A TECHNOLOGY firm making millions of industrial face masks has appointed a new plant manager to maintain it North-East work.

Colin MacLeod has taken over at 3M's plant in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

Mr MacLeod previously spent five years in management roles at the site until 2007, before moving to work as manufacturing operations manager at a sister plant in Wroclaw, Poland.

He said: “I’m really pleased to be back at Aycliffe, the site has a very bright future and I’m looking forward to playing my part.”

The factory employs about 320 workers and is the headquarters of 3M's global personal protection division, making masks that stop wearers inhale dust and vapours.

It also produces car polishes, soaps and wax at Aycliffe, with a second plant in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, making coating for steel pipes in the oil, gas, rail and water industries.