A BOOMING Malton construction and development firm's £17 million-worth of contracts for the new year signals up to 60 more jobs for 2003.

The privately-owned S Harrison Group is expected to announce record profits for 2002 and, with hefty new orders, good cause for regional optimism in 2003.

That is the message from chairman Martyn Harrison, 47, whose group's development arm is behind the massive £35 million redevelopment of Workington town centre, scheduled for completion in 2006, as well as several of the major housing, retail and commercial developments in York and on the East Coast.

New work for the group's construction operation include a £6 million design and build project for a new hospice at St Catherine's, Scarborough; a new 12,000 sq ft office for P&O Developments on the University of York's Science Park at Heslington; and a £2.2 million warehouse in Wakefield for heating equipment distributors Ahed.

Harrison is working with CALA to build 93 new homes at Foss Islands in York and has linked arms with Home Housing Association, City of York Council and Barratt to provide affordable homes for sale and to rent at Tedder Road, Acomb.

Mr Harrison said the order book reflected the continuing buoyancy of the region's economy. "Globally, there are clearly major issues of concern, but on a regional level there is no shortage of investment from businesses who see significant potential for continued growth.

"The £17 million new work for Harrison reflects only what is already contracted. There are many more opportunities which look set to come to fruition for both Harrison Developments and Harrison Construction in the coming months."

But he warned that the major challenges to future growth were "the speed of the planning process and the risk of skill shortages in the construction sector." The group expects to recruit an extra 20 site and head office staff, plus 40 tradespeople this year.

Updated: 11:33 Monday, January 13, 2003