Manvers-based business Thetford Ltd's ability to go from strength to strength despite the economic climate has been praised by MP John Healey.

Rather than downscaling, the manufacturers who supply products for the caravan and motorhome industry are about to begin work on a £1.5m glass plant that will create seven new jobs.

The firm, who are about to celebrate their 40th anniversary, moved to Manvers last year from Sheffield and already 30 per cent of their workforce are local people.

"The move from Sheffield to the Dearne has been a big success in just 18 months," said Mr Healey.

"They are about to install new machinery and take on new people so it's a big opportunity for the company but also for us locally.

"This is exactly the sort of business that we want here. It's British manufacturing, competing overseas and just about to bring manufacturing jobs back into Britain and in doing so looking to recruit local labour and to have a large part of its workforce living in the Dearne."

The new glass plant will allow them to manufacture oven lids on site rather than importing them from Turkey and Italy.

HR Manager John Stephenson said their success has come about through prudence.

"We are in a great position here at Manvers because we are close to the motorways and also airports like Robin Hood," he said.

"We have managed the recession by only employing people who we can guarantee long-term jobs to. It's managing efficiencies and cost savings that have helped us.

"We have almost 100 per cent of the current caravan market but we want to keep expanding."