THE five-month refurbishment project at engineering giant Joy Mining was due to be unveiled today - less than a year after the firm was poised to pull out of the city.

Worcester Mayor, Councillor Mary Drinkwater, was scheduled to officially open the company's new facilities in Bromyard Road.

She was to be joined at the ceremony by city council representatives, clients and suppliers, Chamber of Commerce staff and top-brass from development agency Advantage West Midlands.

The refurbishment project forms part of a major investment plan for the Worcester factory.

Two hundred jobs were saved in November after crisis talks between company chiefs and the city council.

Bosses finally voted to close the firm's Wigan base and keep the Worcester site as its headquarters.

Fifty new positions will be created in the coming months, adding to the site's 318-strong workforce.

Staff ranging from semi-skilled assemblers to software engineers will be recruited.

"The company's decision to maintain a strong manufacturing base in the United Kingdom shows the company's faith and commitment to the skills found in Worcester," said Mark Middleton, head of planning and economic development at the city council.

"This is a very important day for Worcester.

"A strong partnership has been built up between Joy Mining Machinery and the local business community and other agencies, who have all worked so hard to ensure that the company retains a successful presence in Worcester.

"We look forward to working together in the future for the benefit of the economy and residents of the city."

David Johnson, managing director of the company's UK division, said the factory would concentrate on increasing exports to the coal mining markets of the US, China, Russia, India, Poland, South Africa and Australia.

"We're extremely pleased with the outcome of the refurbishment project and are sure that the facility in Worcester will serve Joy well in its endeavours to support global markets," he said.