A GRANT of £100,000 has saved a recycling company from possible closure, secured 40 jobs and helped to double capacity.

Waste Exchange Services (WES), based at Wilton, near Redcar, east Cleveland, was in danger of closing until it secured a grant from regional development agency One NorthEast.

The cash injection not only saved the company but allowed it to expand and create more jobs.

James Donaldson, managing director at WES, said: "This grant was so crucial to our future.

"The competition in this industry is very strong, and with so much business going to China, it was simply a case of expand or die for WES.

"But through working with One NorthEast, we have been able to look at a steady expansion plan that will allow us to compete - safeguarding the jobs of 35 employees, and enabling us to take on another four people as well.

"The grant has enabled us to introduce new advanced recycling equipment that has also resulted in our doubling capacity."

WES, which started trading in 1990, moved to the Wilton International site two years ago.

It recycles waste plastic into products such as flowerpots, buckets and drainpipes.

Its products are sold across the country, to the US, the Lebanon and France.

David Allison, director of business and industry at One NorthEast, said: "At a time when we are working extremely hard to bring new businesses into the area, it is vital those already established are given every chance to prosper and grow.