A MANUFACTURING company hopes to boost business with a £1m factory extension bringing new jobs to remote dales communities.

Renham and Wade has applied for planning permission to build a 10,000sq ft extension to its factory, in Middleton-in-Teesdale.

If Teesdale District Council approves the plan, managing director Kevin Maw predicts an extra 30 staff would be taken on over the next four years.

He said bosses were confident about the future after securing long-term contracts to supply plastic containers to the medical and pharmaceutical industry.

"We have built up good, long-term relationships with our customers, including two of the region's biggest companies Glaxo SmithKline, in Barnard Castle, and Domnick Hunter, on Tyneside.

"It is a major investment by us, but we have had lots of support and feel confident," he said.

Renham and Wade started 22 years ago in a small unit in Stainton Grove, Barnard Castle, with one full-time employee.

Since then, it has grown from strength-to-strength, employing 41 workers and producing sophisticated injection mouldings in a hi-tech environment usually associated with firms in industrial areas.

Mr Maw said that the company could have moved away from Teesdale in search of larger premises, but wants to stay loyal to the community that has helped it to grow.

He said: "Teesdale is very resourceful and a good place for business; the people are loyal and hard-working.

"Business is based on people and I think if we moved elsewhere we would not have the success we are enjoying here.

"We also try to spend as much money as we can in the local area by using certain local services and products.

"If we get planning approval we have included local contractors on the tender list and are working with an architect from Staindrop."

Grants towards the scheme have been pledged by regional regeneration agency One NorthEast and Durham County Council.

And Mr Maw praised Teesdale District Council, Business Link County Durham and Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster for continuous support.