WORK to transform a blighted industrial estate with a £4m investment is paying off after one company revealed they’re ploughing millions into a new plant.

A major scheme to upgrade Dalton Industrial Estate, near Thirsk, is underway with replacement of a bridge over Cod Beck after years of chaos caused by flooding.

Now Wetherby Group which makes cements, renders, mortars and tile adhesives is spending £4m expanding its manufacturing plant on the estate.

It has also taken on five new staff who were made redundant at 3M's plant in Northallerton when it closed.

The family firm moved to Dalton in 2002, after originally setting up on the Thorp Arch Trading Estate at Wetherby, and have now increased their base from four acres to ten as the company has expanded.

Managing director Alex Chalmers said: “We have ambitious plans for future investment and for the future growth of the business, and it will be at Dalton. The facility is capable of making around 200,000 tonnes per annum, we are well equipped for future growth.

“We have decided to do this at Dalton because it is a great location, very central with good access to the motorway network and with a council that is committed to business growth.”

The new bridge, due to be completed in the summer, is being built and funded through a partnership between businesses on the estate, the local authorities and the Environment Agency.

Hambleton District Council leader Mark Robson said: "The work to replace the bridge will secure the long term future of this site and we look forward to seeing other businesses following the Wetherby Group lead.”

Businesses on the estate say it is crucial to guaranteeing 24-hour deliveries every day.