Thirty new jobs are up for grabs after one of north Shropshire’s biggest employers announced a major recruitment drive, it emerged today.

Palethorpes Pork Farms in Market Drayton gave the area’s workforce an early Christmas present by announcing the jobs bonanza today.

The firm has advertised for the new roles to help it through the busy Christmas period and to deal with a “reasonably good” order book for next year.

But bosses say they are looking to the long-term and expect some of the new recruits to become permanent staff.

The jobs announcement has been welcomed by civic leaders as a boost for the town economy amid the economic downturn.

Councillor Roy Aldcroft, Market Drayton mayor, said: “It’s good news and I hope it’s another sign of us lifting out of recession.

“I’m sure many people in the town will be very keen to take the opportunity to prove themselves and hopefully gain regular work.”

John Evans, group HR manager at the firm, which makes pies and other food products, said the fresh wave of recruitment would bring the total number of employees to about 700. He said: “It’s not just seasonal recruitment for Christmas because we’re looking to add to our core workforce as we have a reasonably good order book and the hot pie business is growing.

“We tend to hire people on a temporary basis to begin with and those who are successful could become permanent staff.

“Relatively speaking we are in a comfortable, strong position at the moment and while no sector is recession-proof, the food industry tends to be more resilient.”

The company is on the lookout for 30 line operators to work shifts at its Maer Lane site. The jobs are being advertised as temporary positions with scope to remain as full-time staff for the most successful candidates.

David Minnery, Shropshire Council member for Market Drayton West, said: “It’s a nice Christmas bonus for the town and I’m delighted to hear this because there have been concerns expressed about the effects of the recession in the area.”

By Tom Johannsen