YALE has unlocked 50 jobs on Derwentside following a move from the Midlands.

Yale Door and Window Solutions, part of global lock group ASSA ABLOY, has refurbished its premises on Castleside Industrial Estate, in Consett, which were formerly leased to stairlift manufacturer Bison Bede.

The new facility produces multi-point locking systems for window and door manufacturers in the UK, Scandinavia, and mainland Europe.

The company already employs 35 staff at sites in Consett and Chilton.

Derwentside Development Agency advised on the move, and support also came from County Durham Development Company and Derwentside District Council.

Managing director, Andrew Mee, said: "The quality of the workforce in Derwentside was one of the major attractions for us and the entire team has worked really hard to get the company operational within an impressive time scale.

"We are confident that there is considerable potential for this product and this site also gives us scope for expansion."

Steve Armstrong, business adviser for the development agency, said: "This has to be good news for Derwentside. Up to 50 new jobs have been brought into the district by a global group that is the market leader in its field."