ROSSENDALE is set for a jobs boost at one of the Valley's biggest employers.

Hospital equipment manufacturers Smiths Medical, based in Haslingden, is to take on more posts after company bosses announced plans to transfer 534 manufacturing jobs from its premises in Hythe, Kent.

The majority of the proposed job transfers will move to existing Smiths Medical manufacturing facilities in Mexico, a proposal that is likely to see manufacturing at Hythe end within two years.

However around 30 of the skilled jobs will be made available at the St Crispin Way site in Haslingden which employs around 300 people by the end of the year.

Hyndburn's MP Greg Pope, whose constituency covers Haslingden, today welcomed the area's job boost.

He said: "It's really good news for people in Rossendale.

"There's been drip, drip bad news about jobs recently but the fact that we are now seeing large multi-national companies investing in Haslingden is really welcome news and lots of people in Haslingden will be delighted, as I am."

Chris Fox, communications director for Smiths Medical, said: "The news will mean around 30 jobs will move up to Rossendale.

"The jobs will be skilled and involve making kits for use in operating theatres. The jobs are moving rather than the people, which is a boost for Haslingden, although the majority of the jobs will end up in Mexico mainly because it's more cost-effective."

Over the past two months, the company has also announced the closures in its US operation.