JOBS at a food packing company in Cwmbran have been saved despite the fact the company went into liquidation last week – and the new owners say up to 200 jobs could now be created at the site.

The future of Brown Bear Foods, based in Llantarnam Industrial Park, was uncertain as the food packing company went into liquidation on Thursday.

But staff were informed their jobs were saved yesterday morning as a buyer had come forward on Friday.

The owner of the Euro Foods Group, Shelim Hussain, which is based in Langland Way, Reevesland Park Industrial Estate in Newport, has now bought the business.

The 40 jobs at the Cwmbran food packing company have been saved, while plans are in place for 200 jobs to be created over the next three years.

Mr Hussain said: “I purchased it as I saw the potential and the opportunity to save 40 jobs. The last thing we need in Wales is more redundancies in the food sector.

“Euro Foods is expanding – we took the company over so we can take on the work force and utilise the site.”

The 200 jobs will be created on the Cwmbran site and will be within the factory and within information technology.

Brown Bear Foods moved to Cwmbran from its previous site in Herefordshire in October.

The company specialises in packing chilled and frozen foods, particularly ready-cooked chicken products, for several food stores.

The Euro Foods Group is an international manufacturer and distributor of frozen and fresh foods, serving restaurant, catering and supermarket chains, employing over 1,500 people worldwide.

Torfaen councillor David Daniels, for the Llantarnam ward, said: “It’s really good news especially in the current economic climate that jobs have been saved and it’s fantastic that there are already plans to expand the company and bring new jobs to the area.”