AN engineering company is creating 78 new jobs as part of its expansion.

Cox Powertrain has signed a lease to take over a 28,000 sq ft building in Cecil Pashley Way, near Shoreham Airport.

It is currently undergoing renovation and will be the assembly plant for its CXO300 diesel engine which goes into production in the second half of next year.

It employs 70 staff and aim to recruit an extra 78 before 2020.

CEO Tim Routsis said: “We’ve been working out of Shoreham since 2007 and the prospect of having our assembly line working alongside our engineers gives us the agility we need to deliver this game-changing technology.

“The UK is a hot bed for engineering talent and the government’s declared commitment to support UK innovators as part of its Industrial Strategy makes this the right time and place to move ahead with our plans.”

Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, said: “This is great news from another exciting world-beating local company which is going places and has chosen to do so in Shoreham.

“Cox Powertrain is growing higher skilled jobs in the area and is a further example of the engineering expertise we have locally.

“Adur is a great place to live and work and this latest announcement underlines how we can help businesses in our area to punch above their weight.”

Cox Powertrain expects the new site to be finished later this year.

The company is a designer and builder of diesel engines developed for worldwide and multi-market applications.

It is backed by the Ministry of Defence and a solid shareholder base of private and institutional investors.