A £1 MILLION investment which will create 30 new jobs at a Burnley manufacturer is under way.

And a £28,500 grant from Burnley Borough Council's Challenge Fund is helping implement the first phase of the expansion programme at Lupton & Place

The firm, based in Athletic Street, is the first in Britain to install a new Swiss made die-casting machine which will allow it to make more detailed castings and reduce emissions.

Lupton & Place is a family-owned die-casting company manufacturing a wide range of components for the gas, domestic appliances, motor and engineering industries. It will employ more than 140 people when its latest investment is finished.

"Without the continuing support of the council, manufacturing industry in Burnley will not be able to compete into the next century," said joint managing director David Gill.

"We can only continue to achieve this goal if we continue to invest in state-of-the-art technology.

"The assistance provided through the council's 'Unlocking Investment' programme has therefore proved invaluable.

"We are pleased to help progressive companies like Lupton & Place who are creating quality employment opportunities within the town," said Councillor Marcus Johnstone, chairman of the council's economic and property sub committee.

Earlier this year the company entered into an unlisted share placing with investment capital group 3i.

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