NEARLY 100 jobs are on the way in Stockton thanks to a £2m investment by furniture firm MFI.

The company is ploughing the cash into a new vinyl finishing line at its Concorde Way plant.

In the next two years, more than 90 new jobs will be created at the site.

The investment is part of MFI's three-year plan for manufacturing, devised after a review of the company's six manufacturing bases.

The scheme will lead to a total investment of £8m to create centres of excellence at four existing facilities and the consolidation and proposed closure of a further two sites.

Stockton council leader Coun Bob Gibson said: "We are delighted.

"The quest for jobs is always on and it is good to hear MFI are doing well enough to expand their business in the borough and create these jobs.

"Congratulations and well done to them."

MFI's director of manufacturing and purchasing Mr Bob Wilson said: "We are pleased to be announcing new jobs for Stockton.

"We are bringing our manufacturing capacity in line with customer demand and we think the outlook for vinyl finishes to be very strong indeed.

"This process gives customers what they want and we believe this new investment in Stockton will give us a real competitive edge."

Ms Stella Guy, regional secretary of the T&G union welcomed the ongoing commitment of MFI in making the investment.

"It not only secures current jobs but creates new ones," she said. "This is beneficial to the company, the workforce and the community."

MFI has been operating a manufacturing plant in Stockton since 1978. It has 623 full-time employees working from a 390,000sq ft plant specialising in vinyl doors, ovens and hobs and associated items.