FORTY new jobs have been created after a firm moved part of its business to Rossendale.

West Yorkshire-based Allied Textiles has relocated its Coasting Applications Group from Huncoat and its IQ Textiles subsidiary from Edinburgh to a site in Burnley Road, Rawtenstall.

The move represents a “substantial investment” for the company, which supplies textiles for products including hot air balloons and bouncy castles.

The Rawtenstall site formerly traded as JB Broadley but has been rebra- nded as Allied Textiles after the firm acquired IQ last year.

Chief executive Stewart McGuffie said: “We are delighted to have found a way to reinvest in the Rawtenstall site.

“As a result of the IQ acquisition in late 2009 we have taken a long look at our coating operations and concluded that a consolidated operation on one site would create a market leading business able to capitalise on longer term growth options.”

Mr McGuffie said he hoped to redevelop other parts on the site in future.

The move to Rawtenstall was supported by publicly-funded Regenerate Pennine Lancashire.

Executive director Steve Hoyle said: “This is a most welcome investment for the area.

“Advanced manufacturing is one of the recognised strengths of Pennine Lancashire.

"The announcement is a reflection of the ongoing success in finding innovative ways to apply local manufacturing skills and expertise.

“We welcome this news and want to build on this investment to help Allied Textiles to remain at the forefront of the textiles coating sector.”

The new site is expected to be fully operational by August, and employing 40 people.