NEWPORT politicians welcomed the news that 40 jobs would be coming to Newport with the opening of a Welsh Water laboratory in the city.

Newport council leader councillor Matthew Evans said the move was extremely good newsfor the city and the workforce.

“In Newport they will find a committed and talented employee base who are ready to start work and do a good job.”

Newport West assembly member Rosemary Butler said: “This announcement is a welcome boost for my constituency, with the creation of 40 newjobs.

“It is encouraging to see organisations such as Welsh Water committed to investing in Newport, which will have long-term benefits for both the environment and local economy.”

The water company will create 40 highly-skilled jobs in Newport at a new £8.6 million laboratory based at a former call centre.

The firm will move previously contracted- out water analysis work to both the new laboratory and an existing facility at Bretton, near Chester.

It currently carries out around 300,000 wide-ranging analyses of drinking water samples every year.

Welsh Water operations director Peter Perry said: “The location of the new laboratory, so near to the M4 is perfect and we have had a great response to the job vacancies we have advertised so far.”