A MAJOR employer in a North-East town is creating 50 jobs after a record year of production.

Cummins Engines factory, in Darlington, yesterday said it was boosting its workforce to 930 on the back of a 50 per cent increase in production in the past year.

The announcement came as the manufacturer celebrated its 750,000 mid-range engine rolling off the production line at its factory in Yarm Road.

The plant, which is part of the larger Cummins group, based in the US, is hoping to increase production further, from 300 engines a day to 340, to keep up with customer demand.

It follows a period of major growth for the Darlington firm, which last year shipped a record 62,000 engines to customers in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, with additional export growth expected this year.

The plant increased production from 200 engines per day early last year, to 300 by the end of the year, while turnover climbed to $475m (£242m), from $424m (£216m) in 2005.

In the past 12 months, Cummins' Darlington plant, which manufactures diesel engines for boats, power trucks, diggers, construction machines and buses around the world, has taken on almost 200 extra staff.

Local dignitaries and community leaders attended an event yesterday to commemorate the 750,000th mid-range engine, first produced at the plant in 1985 following a £13.5m upgrade.

Tim Millwood, Darlington plant manager, said: "This is a great milestone for the plant and a proud achievement for our employees.

"This 750,000th engine represents 22 years of mid-range production and development in Darlington and was painted red to reflect the Cummins brand.

"Over the 22 years, the workforce has had to adapt to a lot of changes to remain competitive. It is important that we maintain this commitment and flexibility as we continue to meet the increasing demands of the customer."

The factory is on target to produce its one millionth mid-range engine by 2010.