CONSTRUCTION company the MMP Group is planning to increase the workforce at its Metek Building Systems division.

Ten jobs are being created at Metek, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, in the new year after it secured contracts worth more than £3m.

Metek, which manufactures light steel frames for buildings, has invested nearly £500,000 in machinery and the redesign of the factory to accommodate expansion plans.

Managing director Dr Alan Rogan said: "The future of the construction industry is off-site manufacture, and this has been clear to us at the MMP Group for some time now.

"We have been developing the off-site business here at Newton Aycliffe for the past 18 months and are beginning to reap the rewards of our investment.

"Next year is set to be a record year for Metek and our continued development of technical ability, techniques and investment into both facilities and staff are set to really make a difference for 2006."