A DRIVE to recruit more workers has been launched by a Huddersfield engineering firm.

Birkby-based Weir Valves and Controls - formerly Hopkinsons - has 25 vacancies for shopfloor, office and managerial staff.

Director Carl Ennis said the company was gearing up for an increase in demand for valves from the oil and gas industry in the Middle East.

"We are predicting an increase in market activity," he said.

"Based on what we see happening in the next few months, we will have an opportunity to grow the business.

"We need to make sure that when we secure new contracts, we have the resources to turn it round quickly to meet customers' deadlines."

Mr Ennis said applicants already included several former Hopkinsons employees who had previously been made redundant.

The vacancies are for sales engineers, design engineers, project managers, machine operators and production line inspectors.

Mr Ennis said successful applicants for most of the jobs on offer would go through two to threemonths of training.

The company, part of the Glasgow-based Weir Group, employs about 325 people at its Britannia Works in Birkby.

Mr Ennis said the Middle East market was recovering following the Iraq war.

He said: "Uncertainty caused by the war had led to some customers delaying investment projects, but they are now starting up again."