Corus workers leaving the Bryngwyn Plant in Gorseinon for the last time.

Fifty new jobs are being created in a town left devastated by the closure of a Corus plant two years ago.

Financial aid made available following the closure of the Bryngwyn steelworks in Gorseinon, near Swansea, has been used to build four new industrial units.

In June 2001 the steelworks shut with the loss of 127 jobs, just months after 330 posts went at the nearby Valeo car components factory.

Two of the new units on the Garngoch Industrial Estate have already been sold to local manufacturing companies which are looking to expand and negotiations are close to completion for the other two.

This development endorses the objectives of the Gorseinon Development Trust for the area which has been affected by the closure of Bryngwyn Steelworks and Valeo WDA executive director Mike King

Fforest Timber Engineering Ltd, which currently employs 33 people at its existing factory on the estate, is to move into a 25,000 sq ft unit as part of a �1m investment which includes the purchase of new equipment.

The company plans to double turnover in the next three years and employ an additional 20 staff in a variety of functions, including computer aided design, marketing and production.

Gavin Electrical Engineering Ltd of Pontarddulais is to move into a 10,000 sq ft unit.

The company manufactures and installs sophisticated electronic control equipment for industry, particularly the petro-chemical sector.

Currently employing 14 people, it is also investing in new equipment and plans to double turnover, recruiting an additional 10 skilled engineering personnel.

Grant

Both companies have received grant support from the assembly.

Another company is negotiating to take over the remaining two units of 10,000 sq ft and 8,000 sq ft which will enable it to expand and create another twenty jobs.

The land was sold by the Welsh Development Agency to INTEGRA, an Ammanford-based business development company, and developed with a grant from the aid package announced by the assembly in the wake of the Corus closures.

WDA executive director Mike King said: "The agency is delighted to support this private sector development which will provide first-class industrial accommodation for successful local companies enabling them to expand and create new quality jobs in the area.

"This development endorses the objectives of the Gorseinon Development Trust which is to secure a strong sustainable economic base for the area which has been affected by the closure of Bryngwyn Steelworks and Valeo.

"Together with other projects planned for the area it will provide a real boost to the local economy."