THE innovative project by Northumberland's NHS trust to ensure PPE supplies during Covid-19 continues to expand, with a relocation creating 60 new jobs.

In April, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust opened a factory to produce protective gowns and other equipment for health and care staff as they battled the pandemic.

By September, the Cramlington facility had already provided more than two million protective gowns to front-line staff across the region.

Now, the trust, which runs hospitals and community services in Hexham and Haltwhistle, has expanded into a new factory space of almost 40,000 sq m at Plant Based Valley, in Seaton Delaval.

The move will create 60 new jobs and provide the opportunity for up to ten apprenticeships.

Northumbria Healthcare's chief executive, Sir James Mackey, said: "This is a monumental step for the trust and for the region.

"From the outset, we have worked collaboratively and will continue to work closely with partners to make sure that as many organisations as possible are given the opportunity to benefit from this innovative venture.

"Our overall production ambition is to produce as much high-quality PPE locally, securing the supply chain, demonstrating that our patients and staff are always at the core of all we do.

"We are also very pleased to be able to create employment and learning opportunities for local people in our communities in the current climate."