One of the largest employers in the Witham area has announced it is to create 60 new jobs.

Bosses at CEGO Frameware planned to transfer staff from their Brighton plant to the premises in Western Road, Silver End.

But workers on the south coast are reluctant to move - paving the way for employees in the Braintree district to fill the vacancies.

Phil Barlow, Braintree Council's lead member for employment and economic development, described the news as a "huge benefit" to the area.

District councillor James Abbott, who represents Witham, Silver End and Rivenhall, added: "This is great news because it means local jobs for a local firm.

The firm was bought by BE Wedge Holdings Ltd - which owns four plants in the West Midlands and three in southern England - for an undisclosed sum in 1996.

Nobody from the company was available today.

Meanwhile, a Government scheme to help young people find employment has been hailed a success.

Of the 433 people between the ages of 18 and 24 who signed up to the New Deal scheme in April 1998, 243 have found jobs - one of the most successful rates in the country.

Mr Barlow added: "Certainly in this area the scheme has proved very successful, especially given the low unemployment rate in the district."

He added that in December unemployment in the district plummeted to 1,301, its lowest ebb for 20 years. Now - partly because of the closure of Witham's Durabella factory - the figure stands at 1,400.

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