UP TO 50 jobs could be created after Thanet Council granted permission for two new factories at Manston Park Business Park.

Evron Foods Limited, a frozen bread processing company, applied for a food preparation factory, offices and car parking for land next to Cummins Powergen on Columbus Avenue.

The company estimates 31 people would be employed at the site on shifts. The factory would operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Irish company supplies frozen and chilled bakery products to supermarkets and catering companies.

The second application, also for Columbus Avenue, has been submitted by Invicta Produce Ltd, a company specialising in fresh produce marketing, packing and processing.

Its application was for a detached, two-storey distribution depot and packhouse building. The development will create about11 full time and eight part time jobs.

Thanet Council's Development Control Manager, Doug Brown, said: "The Council is committed to providing high quality space for companies to locate to in the area's business parks and therefore considers applications which create jobs, such as these, as a priority.

"Conditions, relating to issues such as noise and landscaping, have been put in place at the request of Acol Parish Council, who had expressed concerns about the impact these applications could have on the area."