A LANDMARK deal has been announced that will safeguard jobs at a renowned enginemaker.

Cummins Limited in Darlington will start manufacturing low emission bus engines later this year after the company decided to switch production from China to the Yarm Road plant, which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary in the town.

This is the first time that a new type of engine will be made at Cummins Darlington for more than 10 years.

Staff were told today about the deal which will see about 1,000 Euro 6 four cylinder B series 4.5 litre bus engines made at the plant each year. Production is due to start around October.

Up until now the engines have been assembled at the firm’s sister plant in Beijing, but a decision has been made to start making them in Darlington as it can offer shorter lead times to its key bus customers, which includes manufacturers Alexander Dennis and Wright Bus.

In a statement to staff, Des McMenamin, Cummins Darlington plant manager, said: "This is the first time in many years that a new engine platform will be assembled in Darlington and it is positive news that we have invested in our assembly line to increase our capabilities.

"It will be a welcome challenge for us all to continue to deliver world class levels of quality and delivery to the customers of this engine platform and hopefully grow our engine sales further in this market as a result of our performance.”

Cummins Ltd will be hosting a big party at its site on July 11 when it will invite past and present workers to commemorate the factory’s opening 50 years ago.

The company, which has been a leading employer in the town ever since, has a workforce of about 800 people based at its engine plant and adjacent exhaust facility.