HUNDREDS of North-East manufacturing jobs have been secured, after an electronics company invested £7m in the region.

Electrolux has upgraded its manufacturing facility in Spennymoor, County Dur-ham, so it can produce the company's new flagship range of cookers.

It underpins the firm's 600-strong workforce, and secures hundreds more jobs in the regional supply chain.

The group unveiled the line yesterday at its plant on Merrington Lane Industrial Estate, which produces 80 per cent of the Electrolux range sold in the UK and Ireland.

Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman said: "This is a fantastic development and an impressive effort by everyone at Electrolux."

The launch finally dispelled fears over the long-term future of the plant. Electrolux axed 650 jobs in 1999 when it closed its nearby refrigerator factory, and last year announced a strategic review of all its operations.

Since then, many workers feared it was a matter of time before Electrolux would desert the town in favour of cheap labour overseas.

General manager Dave Watroba said: "A lot of people feared the cooker factory would be next, which makes this investment all the more important.

"We have been investing in the site since 2002 and this major platform will make a big difference to employees.

"It has never been about creating jobs, but saving as many jobs as possible, for as long as possible.

"Hopefully people here now feel confident and secure."

The investment is a boost to local businesses working with Electrolux, including glass suppliers Vetroprint Ltd, insulation firm Hodgson and Hodgson and polystyrene manufacturers Tuscarora Ltd, all on the same estate.

Gerry Hunter, regional officer for the Amicus union, said: "One of the great things about Electrolux is the loyalty of employees, with an average service of 24 years, who have all been supreme in facing the changes to give the Spennymoor factory a chance."

The investment includes a series of grants from regional development agency One NorthEast, which could total £1.95m.

The company has put all 600 staff through a training programme, to produce the cookers, part of its Insight range.

Billie Barras, a team leader in the assembly plant, said: "I've been through the training which gives us all extra confidence and makes the chance of success better.

"The investment in the plant so we can produce a new range gives me a great sense of pride, we feel we own this product and it gives us confidence in the future."