A FOOD manufacturer is expecting to create up to 100 jobs as a result of a £3m expansion.

Hartlepool food manufacturer Hibernia Foods, which makes frozen ready-meals for supermarkets, will create the positions at its Brenda Road factory.

That will lead to 30 jobs being created by the end of the year and up to 70 more during the next year.

The news is a boost for Hartlepool, which has an unemployment rate of 4.5 per cent, significantly higher than the national average of 2.6 per cent. However, unemployment in the town, which has undergone a multi-million pound facelift in recent years, has improved from 5.9 per cent in 2000.

Hibernia Foods is investing £3m in the manufacture of its Mr Brain's Faggots brand. The first 30 vacancies will be on the production line and it is hoped the staff will be in place by the end of November.

A further 200 jobs could be created in the town if a fleet of condemned ships - the so-called Ghost Fleet - is allowed to come to Hartlepool for decommissioning. This follows on from 130 jobs being saved last year at Camerons Brewery after the takeover by Castle Eden.

Hibernia is working with Hartlepool Borough Council's recruitment team to find staff. The council is also involved in the Hartlepool Partnership, a body of organisations, including businesses, which has worked to regenerate the town.

Joanne Mottram, of Hibernia, said: "We are delighted to be creating these extra jobs in Hartlepool. It is a reflection of our confidence in our future and that of Hartlepool. I am grateful for the help of Hartlepool council's recruitment team, Working Solutions, for helping with finding staff."

Hibernia employs 225 people at Brenda Road and another 400 at is factory on Oakesway Industrial Estate.

To apply for one of the jobs, call at JobCentre Plus, Victoria Road, tomorrow, between 9am and 1pm. Hartlepool Working Solutions can be contacted on (01429) 523044