Three new jobs have been created by Watton Produce Ltd at its Moray Coast Produce plant in Forres, one of the UK's biggest carrot producers.

WPL is carrying out a major upgrade of its Forres facility in a move that will increase production, improve efficiency and quality, and enable the company to access new markets.

The project is costing £446,000 and is supported with a grant of £22,800 from Moray Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise (MBSE), part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network.

MBSE chief executive, Douglas Yule, said the assistance formed part of the local enterprise company's commitment to developing the food and drink sector in Moray, and would bring further benefits for other businesses in the supply chain.

He added:  "The Moray coast has emerged as probably the UK's most outstanding area for growing root vegetables, particularly carrots.  The Watton plant at Forres, backed by others in the supply chain, has helped establish the area as a major supply source for supermarkets across the UK.  We want to encourage this and help underpin the reputation the area has gained and consolidate the relationships that local suppliers now have with major supermarket outlets."

Producing 24,000 tons of carrots a year, the Watton plant at Forres is one of the UK's biggest carrot producers. WPL General Manager, John Coveney, said:  "The new facilities will compliment the considerable investment already made by the company in washing and packing equipment and will greatly improve the efficiency of the plant to service our customers by reducing further the time taken to get product from the soil to the shelf.  Additional processing equipment will also enable the company to develop its product range, adding value to the produce, and thereby increasing returns back to the farms.

"The opportunity to create further jobs as well as underpin the future of the existing staff is very welcome.  This expansion reflects not only the confidence the company has in the future of Scottish carrots, but also the efforts of all the Staff and Growers who have contributed to its successes to date."