A LEADING car safety systems manufacturer is to create 170 jobs in a multi-million pound expansion.

TRW Systems is building three production lines at its plant in Peterlee, County Durham, to manufacture the latest generation of electronic sensors for activating airbags and seatbelts.

The company, which also has a factory in Sunderland, said it was investing an undisclosed, multi-million pound sum. It has also secured a £1.5m grant from One NorthEast.

TRW's director of operations strategy Europe, Bob Hubery, said: "I'm delighted that the future employment of all our Sunderland and Peterlee workforces is assured."

The Mill Hill factory, part of the global TRW Automotive group, is a leading global supplier.

Its customer list includes Nissan, Toyota, Mercedes Benz, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rover, Ferrari, Volkswagen, Seat and Fiat.

A total of 430 people are employed over the two sites. The new jobs will all be created this year.

TRW commissioned UNW chartered accountants to help secure the Government funding.

UNW corporate finance manager, Mark Simpson, said: "Winning the grant was a lengthy process, tackling some complicated issues which had the best possible outcome.

The company had viable alternative sites for this business. Thankfully, we were able to persuade the board of directors and One NorthEast of the overwhelming justification for building on TRW's established expertise in sensor manufacture in the North-East."

David Allison, director of business and industry at One NorthEast, said: "TRW is a great example of a successful manufacturing company in the region. We were pleased to underpin its future health with a major grant."

Peterlee plant manager Phil Pearce said: "Europe is the battleground of the automotive industry."

The group uses the Six Sigma and Process Excellence philosophies to ensure efficiency and keep its cost base low. Mr Pearce said further support from Sunderland City Council had also helped swing the investment.

TRW's success follows that of ThyssenKrupp Automotive Tallent Chassis in Newton Aycliffe. The firm is to create 120 jobs after wining a £1.6m grant from One NorthEast.