Bristol Port takes on extra staff after 'increase in trade'

More than 50 staff have been taken on at both Avonmouth and Royal Portbury docks

Extra staff have been taken on at Bristol Port to cope with an increase in trade, the Bristol Port Company has said.

The company, which owns Avonmouth Dock and Royal Portbury Dock, has employed 55 recruits, including apprentices and general assistants.

It brings the workforce up to 550 people. The company claims a further 7,000 jobs rely on the port.

Bristol has one of the biggest deep sea ports in the country.

The privately-owned site has 2,600 acres of dock estate zoned for industrial use, with a further 1,000 acres adjacent to the port zoned for development.

"We have been very busy over the past year so this is the perfect time to expand our workforce," said chief executive Simon Bird.

"I am delighted to welcome this enthusiastic group of new recruits to the company."

A company spokesperson said overall car imports and exports were up 4% on the previous 12 months to 400,811 units.

Short sea imports from Spain and Italy were also up by over 10% due to strong sales in UK.