WORLD-leading Isle of Wight wind turbine manufacturer NEG Micon Rotors is creating as many as 120 new jobs with a major expansion of the Venture Quays site in East Cowes.

The company will be the second tenant at the site, alongside round-the-world sailing heroine Ellen MacArthur's Offshore Challenges Sailing Team.

NEG Micon Rotors' managing director Julian Brown explains: "The success of NEG Micon's wood/carbon blade tech-nology, developed on the Island, has led to a significant increased demand for our blades in 2004.

"We are now in a position where we need to expand our manufacturing base to fill current and potential orders.

"As blade technology and size develops, we need more space and more skilled personnel - the Isle of Wight provides exactly this and the means to ship our product."

The company has created 70 new jobs, but with future orders pending, it is

predicted that this figure could rise to as much as 120.

NEG came to the Island four years ago, producing 23-metre and 31-metre blades with a staff of about 150.

"Today they produce 35-metre and 40- metre blades, with a total workforce of 500 people, of whom 420 live on the Island.

NEG Micon Rotors has taken space in two of the largest of the buildings on the Venture Quays site in East Cowes. It has set up a training facility alongside the manufacturing area to enable trainees to work on real blades.

Mike King of the Isle of Wight Economic Paritnership said: "This is one of the first major skills projects under the Cowes Waterfront initiative. It will provide well-paid, skilled job opportunities for local people and bring greater prosperity to the Island economy. It will also help bring more activity into the town of East Cowes during the daytime, helping local retailers and businesses."