Gravatom Engineering Systems is to open a �500,000 factory in Workington, the first outside the south of England.

The site will be used for design development and assembly of systems for nuclear, pharmaceutical, medical and radiopharmaceutical industries.

A Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) grant of �200,000 has been awarded to help fund the project.

Recruitment of some 30 project engineers, designers and technicians to be based at the new factory is already taking place.

Dave Barker, Gravatom managing director, said: "The new facility will enable Gravatom to serve its existing customers in the north of England more effectively and to forge new business in the region in all our market sectors."

Steven Broomhead, NWDA chief executive, said: "The project will have a positive impact on the region, improving employment prospects in the area."