Selby councillors have welcomed the creation of more than 300 manufacturing jobs in neighbouring Goole.

One of the world's largest glassmakers, Guardian Industries Corp, is to build a £115 million factory in the town.

The 120 hectares of land in Rawcliffe Road, near junction 36 on the M62, have been bought by the regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward.

Yorkshire Forward will lease it to the U.S.-based company for its factory.

A business park will also be created on the site.

Selby councillor Steven Shaw-Wright was delighted to learn of the investment. He said: "It is really good news for people in the southern part of the district who will have increased job opportunities. People in the Selby district do work in the Goole area and so it is fantastic news."

The district councillor for Whitley, Peter Stocken, said: "I welcome the creation of so many jobs."

This is the latest in a series of job boosts for the Selby area. Earlier this month, The Evening Press reported on plans to build a hotel, pub and shops in Barlby, which could create 1,000 jobs.

Guardian's investment will be aided by £4.9 million Regional Selective Assistance from the Department of Trade and Industry as well as a £2.7 million grant from Yorkshire Forward.

Alan Johnson, the Minister for Employment Relations and the Regions, said: "This is great news. This is a ringing endorsement, not only of the region and its workforce, but of the UK as a top location for inward investment."

Yorkshire fought off stiff competition from Belgium to gain the investment. The development will be the third major U.S. investment in the region in just over a year. Boeing is building an Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in Rotherham, while Insight is building its European headquarters in Sheffield.

Yorkshire Forward chairman Graham Hall said: "This latest investment delivers high quality jobs and kick-starts a major development. Yorkshire and Humber is continuing to lead the way in attracting high-quality, high-technology investment, despite the global economic slowdown."

Guardian Industries Corp, based in Michigan, is one of the largest manufacturers of float and fabricated glass products for the construction and automotive industries. It employs more than 19,000 people worldwide in 19 countries.

Work will begin on the site in May. The company expects to begin glass production in 2004.

Updated: 14:45 Friday, April 19, 2002