LOCAL businesses have rallied round to find jobs for people made redundant by the closure last month of Malvern-based engineering firm Dytecna.

And one company from Bristol, a former Dytecna customer, has this week opened up an office in the Malvern area and taken on four of the firm's former employees.

19 Malvern Hills businesses have come forward with 27 vacancies, many of them unadvertised, with another seven asking to see CVs with a view to future recruitment, following a call from Malvern Hills District Council.

Cllr Phil Groves said: “We are extremely pleased to be working in partnership with our local businesses to help staff through this difficult time.

"They are all saddened by the closure of Dytecna, and are determined to help us ensure we don’t lose these valuable skills from the district.

"Malvern Hills is home to some of the most dynamic and cutting edge technology and engineering businesses in the country, and there is a high demand for specialist skills. In addition our business sector is growing, and creating new jobs so I am confident that there are plenty of opportunities for the Dytecna staff to pursue”

Bristol-based Aerospace and Airworthiness Consultancy Enterprises Ltd has employed four former Dytecna staff, initially on a one-year contract.

Dytecna was doing work for AACE, an aerospace consultancy firm working mainly with the MOD, in the technical publications area before it closed.

On Monday, AACE opened a satellite office at Willow End Park in Welland especially to accommodate the new staff.

Richard Tulloch, the firm's operations manager, said: “I am delighted we have been able to employ these people and locate them near to their homes. They are a welcome addition to our company and bring some new and valuable skills to AACE."

A list of local job opportunities is now available on the MHDC website at malvernhills.gov.uk/jobs.

Local businesss interested in promoting job opportunities to Dytecna staff should contact the council's economic development team at ecodev@malvernhills.gov.uk or 01684 862151.