The company has been expanding rapidly in recent years

Beran Instruments, which is based at Great Torrington, is taking on the new staff when it expands into a larger factory.

Beran Instruments is an advanced engineering company making components for a range of industries including aerospace and power generation.

Its expansion at its factory in Great Torrington will safeguard 46 jobs and create 25 new ones.

Safeguarding future

The company has been expanding rapidly in recent years and continue growing it needed bigger premises.

There was concern the company may have to move elsewhere, which would have been a blow to the area already hit by job losses and the impact of Foot and Mouth.

So the South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) stepped in to offer funding, safeguarding its future.

The RDA will purchase the existing factory in Great Torrington and extend it and lease it to the company at market value.

"Thanks to the support received from the South West RDA, we can now not only remain within Great Torrington, but we are also looking to continue our expansion and to create new jobs within the area," said Andy Lobato, the company's managing director.