COMPANIES at Sci-Tech Daresbury have created more than 100 new jobs and soaring sales of more than 30 per cent.

They plan to recruit a further 192 employees this year.

This Runcorn science and innovation campus is home to 106 specialist firms and employs almost 600 people.

Latest figures reveal that 76 of businesses have achieved sales worth more than £59 million last year.

Their growth has secured more than £28m investment.

Around 60 per cent of the companies are trading overseas with record export sales worth £21.8m.

John Downes, chief executive of Langtree PP and director of the Sci-Tech Daresbury joint venture company, said: “These figures highlight the important role Sci-Tech Daresbury plays in creating the right conditions for science and innovation based small and medium enterprises to achieve their growth ambitions.

“It’s particularly encouraging to see the rate of export growth which is now at a record high and that businesses are accessing new markets.”

Whilst Europe continues to be the key export market with 42 per cent of sales, he said, there has been a strong increase in trade with the Middle East, Africa and Russia.

Automation technology company Peak42 has seen its business expand and workforce quadruple from seven to 28 since moving in 11 years ago.

It works across the utilities, pharmaceutical, food and drink and chemicals industries, with companies including Mitsubishi, Siemens and Rockwell.

The business had a turnover of £2m last year, an 18 per cent increase on 2013 and forecasts further growth this year.

Managing director Nigel Hall said: “We pride ourselves on providing a good environment for our engineers to attract and retain highly skilled staff.

“Sci-Tech Daresbury provides a tech-focused environment to achieve this and offers a strong shop front for our business.”

Sci-Tech Daresbury, which as Enterprise Zone status, is a private public joint venture partnership between developer Langtree, the Science Technology Facilities Council and Halton Council.