THE ‘Castle Cement’ factory in Clitheroe has hired 27 new staff after a surge in demand for building materials.

Two years ago the plant faced the threat of closure, but an upturn in the building trade has persuaded owners Hanson UK to increase their staffing levels from 75 to 102.

It comes after the firm won approval as a key supplier to a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point in Somerset.

Simon Moorhouse, operations manager at the site, said: “Things were in the balance in 2012 when we had to make about 20 or 30 redundancies, but this new recruitment means we are nearly back at the same staffing level.

“There’s been a general upturn in the economy in terms of housing and big infrastructure projects.

“We’re thriving now and our output is almost where it was before the recession.” Now named the Ribblesdale Works, after the old Castle Cement name was rebranded in 2009, the site has been in operation since 1936.

It claims to contribute about £9million a year to the local economy and has supplied cement to Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium, Liverpool’s Roman Catholic cathedral and Manchester International Airport.

Michael Ranson, mayor of the Ribble Valley, said: “We’ve heard things have been improving there in the last few months and I’m delighted they are taking on more people.

“They’ve always been one of the major employers in the borough and have had a bit of a rough time, so it’s tremendous news.”

In August, Hanson UK announced their famous Nori brickworks in Accrington would be reopening, after being moth- balled for seven years.