ANOTHER 45 skilled jobs are being created in Chepstow to meet demand from the wind power industry.

The boost for Mabey Bridge also means that 50 jobs at its bridge-building plant in Lydney have also been safeguarded.

The company created 102 skilled jobs when its wind turbine manufacturing facility opened earlier this year on the Newhouse Industrial Estate on the outskirts of the town.

Now job adverts are going out across south Wales and Gloucestershire for roles ranging from paintshop operators, machine operators, welders and laser inspectors.

The increase in workers is necessary to meet demand for the company's wind turbine towers.

The factory will run round-the-clock and is expected to announce soon that it has won further contracts.

Mabey Bridge UK director Alex Smale said: "We are delighted to announce the second stage of our recruitment drive at Mabey Bridge which shows how far we have come in our bid to become a major player in the renewables market.

 "It makes perfect sense for us to use the skills we have in our bridge building facility for our growing wind turbine tower operation.

"Staff can look forward to Christmas knowing their future is secure. On top of that we are also expecting to unveil new contract wins shortly, so it's a case of watch this space.

 "Our aim is to provide around half the UK's requirement for wind turbine towers – something we are on track for delivering on. We have an exciting future and we are looking for new employees who share our vision and drive."

Already this year Mabey Bridge have won a number of contracts including Dutch firm EWT which operates as far away as Alaska and China.

Mabey Bridge is also working with REpower – one the UK's biggest suppliers of wind energy – to produce nine steel tubular towers which are each 80-metres long and weigh 150 tonnes.

Mabey Bridge have a long history in Chepstow having built Brunel's tubular railway bridge across the River Wye 150 years ago.

To apply for the new jobs visit http://www.mabeybridge.co.uk">www.mabeybridge.co.uk or contact Omega Resource Group on 01453 829540 or mabeybridge@omega

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