GOVERNMENT cash and advice from Bradford Council officials has helped city-based crisp maker Seabrook upgrade its operations and create new jobs.

The family-owned firm received a £32,700 grant from the Leeds city region Local Enterprise Partnership to add to its own £300,000 investment in new production facilities to drive innovation, improve production flexibility and boost turnover.

The cash came from the LEP’s Business Growth Programme, which is supported by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund. It is expected to create around four new jobs at the Duncombe Street factory .

Roger Marsh, LEP chairman, said: “Seabrook is a long-established Bradford company and a really innovative business. We are delighted to have been able to assist in creating a number of new jobs in the region and help the company accelerate its expansion plans, ensuring the food and drink sector in the region continues to thrive.”

Seabrook, which employs 150 staff, has introduced straight cut crisps and also launched the UK’s first range of lattice crisps aimed at the premium end of the snacking sector.

Kevin Butterworth, marketing director, said product innovation would continue as Seabrook looks to grow and increase its market share.

He said: “Investment in our facilities will help improve efficiencies, drive flexibility and help support our innovation launches. The Business Growth Programme grant has helped us to continue with our growth push, freeing up investment and therefore the funding has been extremely beneficial.”

Seabrook learnt about the programme through Bradford Council and Mr Butterworth described its help through the application process as “invaluable”.

He added: “We would certainly encourage other organisations to see how the programme can assist them.”

Bradford Council leader, Councillor David Green, said: “Seabrook Crisps are a well-established Bradford business and it’s good to see they are expanding and taking on more staff. I’m delighted they have recognised that this expansion has been aided through help and support they have received from Bradford Council investment officers.”

Mr Butterworth said Seabrook, which counts Morrisons, Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury’s as major customers, had plans to continue its growth momentum.

“Our strategy is to grow our national business and the signs are good as our growth continues to outperform the rest of the category,” he said. Latest accounts at Companies House show that Seabrook converted a £430,000 loss in 2012 into a pre-tax profit of £1.64 million in the 12 months to March 30, with turnover rising to £24.5 million.