Food Park in Peel and Port St Mary creates 55 jobs

The island currently exports £8m of scallops across Europe

More than 50 jobs are to be created in the Isle of Man Food Park, according to the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (Defa).

The 55 jobs will include both full-time and seasonal positions at the Food Park in Peel and Port St Mary-based Carrick Bay Seafoods.

Defa minister Phil Gawne said the jobs are "incredibly positive for the Manx economy."

Each year, the Isle of Man exports around £8m of scallops.

The industry currently supports around 150 jobs at sea and 200 on land.

'New exports'

Mr Gawne said: "It is testament to the resilience of the Manx fish processing industry that it is winning new export markets even in these difficult times."

According to government figures, 96% of the island's scallops are exported, largely to France, Spain and Italy.

"These new jobs are very welcome and can make a real contribution to the Manx economy," Mr Gawne said.

"I am delighted with the way in which the government, the fishermen and the processes are working to create such success."

The new jobs, which are largely in scallop processing, will start from the 1 June.

The Food Park will be officially launched by Prince Charles on 26 April, when he visits the island as part of a Royal Family tour.

The project began earlier this year and over the next five years will see the Mill Road Yard industrial estate in Peel completely regenerated, at a cost of £3m.