CAR parts manufacturer GT Precision Products has secured the rights to an exhaust braking system for bus and truck engines.

The deal could be worth as much as £100m over the next ten years for the Peterlee business.

Manufacture of the Exhaust Pressure Modulator (EPM) at the Faraday Road factory will boost the workforce by 50 to 150.

The EPM is fitted by many diesel engine motor manufacturers, including Scania and Renault. The first units for Renault in France are due to be shipped later this week.

EPM works by controlling exhaust gases, creating back pressure, which is used to produce engine braking. This relieves the pressure on brake pads and greatly increases safety.

The company, part of the GT Group, was one of the main sub-contractors for the EPM from US-based Wabco Automotive and has acquired the intellectual and manufacturing rights to the device.

Research and development teams at Peterlee are already working on the next generation of EPMs to work with the diesel engines of the future.

GT Group chairman Geoff Turnbull said it was tremendous news for the company and the region. "The EPM is the world leader in exhaust braking technology and is fitted to most of the leading truck and bus engines.

He said: "We already have orders of 70,000 units a year, which is worth £50m over the next ten years, but this could grow to as much as £100m over the same period.