HALO Foods, which began as a honey farm in Aberaeron 27 years ago, brought some sweet news to Newport last Friday with the announcement of 50 new jobs.

At Queensway Meadows the Halo factory's 150 workers produce 100 million snack bars every year.

The firm has a second factory in Tywyn with a similar output. Halo Foods has been part of the Newport manufacturing scene since December 2001 when it took over the business of its supplier GF Lovell.

The business had suffered some ups and downs and staff morale was not high. At that time Halo chairman Peter Saunders pledged to bring investment and stability to the business.

With the aid of a grant from the Assembly, he has invested over £3 million on improving production facilities and upgrading the working environment including air conditioning and new canteen facilities.

"We are committed to providing a stable, successful working environment at all locations within the Halo Group," he said. "The future of this business depends on the skill and dedication of its workforce and nothing gives me greater pleasure than increasing our skills base."

Many of the 50 new jobs will be on the production line but there will also be opportunities for supervisory and managerial staff.

Mr Saunders said: "At a time when Newport has been dealt a major blow with the loss of around 1,000 jobs at LG I am pleased that we can do something to soften that news.

"Halo has a very positive order book after working hard to establish close relationships with our many blue-chip food customers. That success is now being reflected in our on-going programme of investment and improvement - which in turn has led to the new job opportunties."

The Halo Group also includes Nimbus Foods of Dolgellau, and The Original Welsh Pantry Company.

* Pictured: Halo chairman Peter Saunders, the bearer of sweet news about the Newport factory