A NEW Rossendale-based factory is hoping to create a handful of jobs for Valley residents.

Solomon Commercials Ltd, based on Kingsway Industrial Estate, Haslingden, launched the new factory on Tuesday with the help of Mayor of Rossendale, Coun Eileen Kershaw.

The company has expanded its services by building the new factory on a two acre site. Solomon, manufacturers of temperature controlled vehicles for 25 years, are now able to offer on-site repair services and catering size vans - something its hasn't been able to do because of space restraints.

Jonathan Patchick, works director, said: "The new factory will allow us to bring in new customers, which could see us expanding the factory further because we already have planning permission to do so.

"We are thinking ahead which will benefit us for the future.

"We have 70 staff who are mostly local to the area. We already have seven staff at the new site with a hope of having a total of around 16 on the site, which could grow depending on the growth of the business."

Anybody wanting information about jobs should contact 01706 211211.