COUNTY Durham-based firm KC Engineering Ltd said 20 jobs will be created following the acquisition of the Hoyt Engineering business from the Darchem group.

The jobs are expected to come at the firm's facility in Consett, in County Durham.

KC Engineering is a leading manufacturer of white metal-lined bearings for industrial machinery.

The company has been established for more than 22 years and manufactures and repairs bearings, specifically for the pump and turbo-machinery markets.

The company said the acquisition of Hoyt, which is more than 100 years old, would increase knowledge and expertise at the firm.

Hoyt's specialised bearing production equipment will be moved to the KC Engineering site and refurbished over the coming months.

Hoyt Engineering operates from a site in Morden, Surrey, but all operations will transfer to KC Engineering's 30,000sq ft facility in Consett.