​NEWS of the creation of 200 jobs and an £8.5-million investment in Grimsby by a leading soup manufacturer has been welcomed today.

Leading chilled food manufacturers Daniels Group, best known for the New Covent Garden soup range, has taken over the vacated Mariner Foods plant on Grimsby’s Europarc.

And former Mariner Foods worker Paul Webster – who was one of 530 people to lose their job when the Bakkavor-owned plant closed in May 2008 – is one of many delighted at the announcement. The father-of-two is set to return as a shift production manager for the new firm.

"As soon as we heard about the possibility we all sent our CVs in," he said.

"We went through two interviews and to be told I had the job, I was absolutely overwhelmed. It is a very supportive company, big on making sure education and training is right."

Mr Webster will be one of several shift production managers, tasked with ensuring teams produce a range of chilled and frozen foods for the UK and overseas.

The arrival, which has been assisted by North East Lincolnshire Council’s economic development team, was also welcomed by Cllr Geoff Lowis, portfolio holder for regeneration and housing.

He said: “The announcement is not just excellent news for the town and for the local people who will gain employment there, it is also a well-timed statement of faith in Grimsby as Europe’s Food Town and in the Europarc site in particular.

“It is clear that the site and the local economy has suffered through the ongoing economic turmoil but this announcement will highlight what Grimsby, and Europarc, has to offer.”

Find out more about the plans for the site in today’s Grimsby Telegraph.

More jobs on the horizon - click here.