Fifty new jobs will be created at a Southend engineering firm which has seen business rocket.

Ipeco Holdings, in Aviation Way, already employs 520 people, but is taking on an extra 50 to meet demand for aircraft parts.

It is the firm's arm that designs and makes cockpit seats which is the most successful division and staff are working overtime to meet demand.

Last year it made 2,200 seats, this year it is expected to send out more than 3,000 and next year it hopes orders will surpass 3,500.

The new jobs will be for semi-skilled workers and will include assemblers, paint sprayers, machinists and upholsterers.

Chief executive Steve Johnson said: "We are having to work very hard and need to put more resources in place. People are already working overtime so we need the staff now."

The firm also hopes to more than double the number of apprentices it takes on. Last year it had seven and launched a new training centre. It is currently interviewing applicants for 15 training places.

The contracts the company has won include Canadian firm Bom-bardier, to whom they are supplying seats for its CL300 executive jet and Learjet 60XR executive jet, and Boeing, for its 787 Dreamliner.

The family business was set up 45 years ago by Mr Johnson's grandfather, Allan. The firm is holding a recruitment open day between 2pm and 9pm on Thursday.

For more information, call 01702 209287 or e-mail personnel@ipeco.co.uk