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Findus factory back in business

The fire-ravaged Findus food factory has started up production again, more than 12 months after it was destroyed.

The factory was gutted by fire last January, but workers returned to the site, now named Longbenton Foods, at 6am on Tuesday for the first time in a year.

Bosses at the factory, which makes products for frozen food group Findus, hope to employ around 250 people within the next two years.

Vidar Engen, manaing director of Longbenton Foods, said: “This is a real milestone for Longbenton Food.

“We have come such a long way in such a short space of time, something that is testament to the hard work of the team and our partners that have been instrumental in helping us get back into production.”

The cost of the blaze was estimated at around £20m but a £2m grant from One North East helped with the recovery efforts.

Mr Engen said: “We are now focusing on the future and look forward to creating more jobs for local people.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .