A DIRECTOR of Sheppey's newest company has declared it has a bright and exciting future ahead - not least on the jobs front.

Paul Blackmore is one of three directors who bought the Weidmuller Klippon plant in Power Station Road last month after weeks of negotiations with the German-owned group.

Now the company has been renamed HBC Engineering Solutions, securing the 200 strong workforce and the long-term future of the factory.

Mr Blackmore said: "I have always seen the factory as being capable of much more and this acquisition means we can inject fresh blood into the company and become a formidable player in the sub-contract engineering workplace."

Mr Blackmore admitted it is still too early to predict how many jobs the take-over will create, but he revealed four new positions have already been made and he hopes others will emerge soon.