The company supplies horseboxes across the world

Wales' leading trailer manufacturer has announced plans to expand its operation in north Wales - at a time when it is locked in a dispute with half of its workforce.

Ifor Williams Trailers plans to open a new manufacturing plant on the Deeside Industrial Estate, creating 80 new jobs.

The news revealed on Wednesday came just a day after more than 200 workers staged a one-day strike in protest at pay and conditions.

Representatives from the GMB union, which represents half the 400-strong workforce - are planning to meet with conciliation service in a final effort to resolve the dispute.

A meeting will be held in Chester on Wednesday to try and iron out the differences, the most contentious of which is the pay rate for night shifts.

The workers have now held two one-day strikes in the space of four weeks, and organised a protest march to draw attention to their cause at the weekend.

Ifor Williams has factories in Cynwyd, Bala and Corwen. News of the expansion and the extra jobs will come as a welcome boost to the north east.

Union rep Dave Cliff will attend the talks

Craig Allen, manager of the Deeside operation said: "The company has seen growing demand across the range of trailers we produce and this has been particularly marked for some models.

"We are planning to open new production lines at the Deeside facility for the trailers that have been in particularly high demand."

Ifor Williams Trailers was founded in 1958, and manufactures agricultural trailers and horseboxes which are sold throughout the UK and abroad.

Despite the jobs news, union officials are continuing with the Acas negotiations.

"We are pleased that a meeting with the company and Acas has now been agreed," said GMB regional organiser Dave Cliff.

"I hope that we can move forward with sensible negotiations to reach a fair and just settlement to this dispute."