CHEPSTOW traders have welcomed the news that a UK engineering firm is to create 200 jobs, some of which will be based at its plant in the town.

Mabey Bridge, a British engineering firm that specialises in building and erecting bridges worldwide, has a factory in Chepstowthat makes towers for wind turbines.

As part of an announcement on the company’s global expansion plans Mabey Bridge, which employs 1,100 people, intends to take on 200 employees by 2014 in a bid to increase turnover from £150 million to £200 million.

The Chepstow plant on Newhouse Farm Industrial Estate currently employs around 180 staff and in January secured a lucrative deal to build 35 wind turbine towers for Nordex, a renewable energy company.

Melanie Phillips, president of the town’s chamber of commerce, said Chepstow will benefit as a result because workers will be living and working in or near the town.

She said: “It’s fantastic news.

We really do need as much support as possible in Chepstow.”

A spokeswoman for the town council said it is positive news.

“They have recently invested in the business by opening a new plant, which will have a positive effect on the whole town.”