THE future of the Alcan works in Rogerstone is being secured by a £6 million investment, with the promise of new jobs at the plant.

The announcement by the firm marks a remarkable turnaround for Alcan, whose long-term future in Newport appeared uncertain just two years ago, when the company axed more than 300 jobs.

The Rogerstone expansion is at the expense of its smaller mill in Falkirk, Scotland, which is to close as part of the plans to consolidate the Alcan operations in the UK.

The Falkirk plant currently employs 85 people, and a company spokeswoman said that while it was too early to say how many of those jobs would be transferred to Newport, some new jobs would be created. Alcan general manager Peter Gibb said: "There are, of course, mixed feelings about today's announcement because of the proposed closure of Falkirk.

"At the same time, however, it is good news for the employees at Rogerstone as the new investment will mean a brighter future as we improve our offering to customers in the UK and in export markets."

Alcan is a multi-national company and a global leader in marketing and packaging, as well as aluminium recycling. The Rogerstone plant will now take on the company's aluminium sheet rolling operations.

In December 2001 the company announced it was axing 310 jobs from its Rogerstone plant - more than half its workforce - after losing £14m.