THE WEAR Valley economy was given a major boost this week the announcement of 37 new jobs at a new £1.5m manufacturing plant.

Trinity Cables Ltd is creating a 35,000 sq ft operation at the Aptec Enterpirse Park, in Darlington Road, West Auckland.

The company makes electrical and telecom cables for the building, telecoms and IT industries for customers in the UK and overseas.

Its managing director Narendra Kumar Rathi, who has more than 30 years' experience in the cable industry, decided to go to West Auckland after approaching the County Durham Development Company.

Since November last year Trinity and the development company have worked together to select the right site.

One NorthEast supplied a grant of £185,000 and there was support from Wear Valley District Council.

Mr Rathi said: " We looked at a number of sites and have decided to build the plant in West Auckland.

"West Auckland is a good location for us. One of things which attracted us to the area was the skilled manpower availability and supporting industries."

The company is currently recruiting skilled and semi-skilled workers, telephone them on (01388) 835831.