An engineering firm plans to increase its workforce by 25 people following a major investment.

The investment in new machinery has secured 50 jobs at Wantage-based Orbit Precision Machining.

The firm said the new machinery would boost productivity and allow it serve a far wider customer base.

The company, an established provider of machining services to the specialist automotive, medical and communication sectors, was acquired by Accura Holdings in 1997 and is now part of a national engineering group with a 20m turnover and employing 300 people. Managing director John Walford said: "There is an ever-increasing trend towards outsourcing in the manufacturing industry and this has greatly fuelled the expansion of our business.

"In particular, our recently installed assembly facilities have opened new market opportunities for us.

"We have secured over 25m of long-term customer contracts over the last 12 months alone. Our Wantage location is critical in meeting the increase in orders, so the business is set to go from strength to strength in the area."