MORE than 200 jobs are to be created with the launch of a North East factory said to be the first in the UK dedicated to making washing machines.

Newton Aycliffe firm Ebac is to launch a £7m expansion, boosted by a £1m grant from the Regional Growth Fund, after planning the move for more than a year.

It already employs 200 people producing watercoolers, dehumidifiers and air coolers and says that the new factory will double its workforce.

Ebac chairman John Elliott has long campaigned for an expansion of the manufacturing sector in the UK. He said that all of the four million washing machines bought in the UK every year are imported and that the expansion will boost the UK’s economy.

“During my 50 years in manufacturing, the trend has been for jobs to be lost in the North East. It is great to have this chance to bring sustainable jobs for County Durham people,” he said.

“If we are to resolve the UK’s economic problems we need to start making things again and support for projects such as this is a huge step in the right direction.

“The money from the Regional Growth Fund makes all of this possible and will quickly reap returns for the economy.”

The company said that the factory will open the door to making more domestic appliances in the future.