A three-year jobs creation target set by Beacon Foods has been exceeded in half the expected time.

As part of a £1.6 million investment in a 30,000 sq ft processing plant last year, Beacon said it would create 60 news jobs, taking its workforce to 130 by 2004. Less than 18 months later, the company is employing 135 people.

Owner Edward Gough said: 'The rapid growth of the business in the past two years would not have been possible without the support and hard work of our excellent workforce.

'Our success is definitely the result of a big team effort and we have many exciting plans for the future so watch this space.' Beacon has received a Mid-Wales development grant and a processing and marketing grant from the Welsh Development Agency (WDA). Geraint Davies, WDA executive director in Mid Wales, congratulated Beacon Foods on attaining its job target. Dr Davies said: 'Continued research and development, as well as investment, has paid off for Beacon Foods. They are now one of the leading food companies in their field and the WDA is pleased to have been able to support their expansion which is, in turn, providing good quality employment opportunities here in Mid-Wales.'