TWENTY new jobs will be created in Rainford with the help of two DTI Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) grants announced by Corporate and Consumer Affairs Minister John Taylor.

The grants, totalling £105,000, will allow expansion projects to go ahead at Wilfred Mahood (Marquees) Ltd. and Beverston Engineering Ltd.

Mr Taylor, who has special DTI responsibility for Merseyside, said: "I am delighted that DTI funding is allowing each company to increase its competitiveness by expanding its operations which will improve their long term prosperity and that of the local economy."

Mahood Marquees is receiving a £70,000 grant to fund machinery for the manufacturing of marquees and two new vehicles, followed later in the year by the construction of a 2,500 square foot extension to its premises on the Lords Fold Industrial Estate to create additional office space which will accommodate the computerisation of stock control.

The two-year project will create 15 new jobs, more than doubling the current workforce of 13.

Managing director Grahame Mahood says: "I am delighted with the project so far which will increase our projected turnover by more than 50 per cent as a direct result of the DTI funding."

Beverston Engineering is receiving a £35,000 grant to expand production capacity at its Sandwash Close premises on Rainford Industrial estate.

The expansion will allow the company, which has established itself as a quality player in the precision components industry, to diversify its product range and take on five new staff over the next 18 months.

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