50 new jobs start at Bridgend Sony factory in January

Sony has also recruited apprentices at Pencoed for the first time in 12 years

The majority of 50 new jobs being created at Sony's plant near Bridgend will be in place from January, factory bosses say.

The posts follow a £2m investment at the technology centre in Pencoed which includes the manufacture of high-end professional camcorders.

Sony said the plant had been "inundated with orders from major broadcasting organisations throughout Europe".

Some 500 people work at the site, 420 of whom are directly employed by Sony.

Sony said 39 new posts would be in place by January which would include operators, technicians and engineers.

The company has also recruited apprentices at Pencoed for the first time in 12 years.

"Securing this latest investment is great news for the future of the Pencoed site and illustrates once again the strategic importance of the centre within the Sony Corporation," said Steve Dalton, managing director of the plant.

"It is the only site outside of Japan manufacturing these advanced high-end cameras and associated broadcast products."

The investment also means the plant is now Sony's European service centre for all consumer and professional products.

A new sales operation for education and learning products is also being developed.