Technology company Filtronic is to create 50 jobs as a result of rapid growth in the electronics industry helped by rising mobile phone sales.

The jobs will be at the comp-any's Newton Aycliffe plant, near Darlington. The recruitment drive will take the number of staff there to 400 by early next year. The new intake will work mainly in the production of components for manufacturing equipment.

The plant, described by the multi-national company as the catalyst that feeds its other business, produces semi-conductors and other electronic equipment.

The company has invested heavily in the site, which it took over from Fujitsu five years ago.

Professor Chris Snowden, chief executive of Filtronic's integrated products division, said he was delighted with the progress of the plant.

Prof Snowden said: "When you think that we started off with just 20 staff, we have seen remarkable progress.

"The electronics industry is a burgeoning sector as our growth shows. Much of our business has come from mobile communications, which have grown rapidly in recent years."

Prof Snowden said there were no plans at present to increase the size of the plant, despite the rise in staff numbers.

However, he said once the new staff were in place, the plant would be running at full capacity.

The new intake will work in the production of semi-conductors, automated module assembly and in the company's broadband electronics business.

Despite the expansion plans, the company performed poorly during the past financial year.

Its full-year results showed sales down £4.1m at £237.2m and a drop in operating profits from £6.7m to £3.7m, due to currency fluctuations.

The company, based in Shipley, West Yorkshire, made pre-tax losses of £400,000 in the year to May 31, compared with profits of £3.8m previously.

Net interest and financing costs were £8.6m for the year, up from £2.9m last year.

As well as Newton Aycliffe and Shipley, the group has manufacturing sites in East Kilbride and Stewarton, in Scotland, Wolverhampton and Milton Keynes. It also has bases in the US, Finland, China and Australia.