UP TO 40 new jobs could be created Sheerness steel mill if its new owners go ahead with expansion plans.

Warren Hewitt, general manager of Thamesteel, said the company’s Saudi Arabian owners, Al-Tuwairqi, were looking at eventually expanding the site’s production to one million tonnes per year from the current 570,000 tonnes annually.

So far the plant has produced 100,000 tonnes of steel reinforcing bars for the construction industry since it re-opened on March 10 and Mr Hewitt said: “There is the potential for another 40 jobs.”

Thamesteel employs 144 people directly, less than half the 320 employees who were there under ASW’s ownership. There are 71 staff working for other associated contractors, Heckett Multiserv, which runs the scrap metal operation, and the lorry contractors, Heard.