Manufacturers' Services, a US based company which has a plant in Athlone, is to create 120 new jobs this year at its Irish plant.

The company, which supplies products and services for other companies in the information technology, telecommunications and computer business, has created 40 jobs over the past three months and will bring its workforce to 270 by the end of the year.

It is understood that Forbairt has given the company £330,000 in preference shares.

The announcement was welcomed yesterday by the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Bruton, who said it would give the area a great employment boost. Page 3