ELECTRICAL engineering company Houghton International is marking its 25th year in business by announcing that it will create 40 jobs over the next three years.

The company, based on Walker Riverside, in Newcastle, is set to break through the £3m turnover barrier this year, with £5m targeted within the next two years.

Houghton International, which started life in 1984 in Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, has also recently expanded its Walker site by acquiring a second 10,000sq ft storage and production unit to help it double production in its rail traction motor repairs business.

Recently, the firm has won contracts with the Tyne and Wear Metro, Unipart Rail and MerseyRail, and has also received a £200,000 job creation grant from regional development agency One North East to fuel its expansion.