CREWE has been given a big jobs boost after Bentley Motors announced it is creating over 140 new positions at its headquarters in Pyms Lane.

Recruitment at the luxury car manufacturer will include 90 skilled engineers and 51 new apprentices – the biggest single apprentice intake in ten years.

Roles will be delivered on the back of a multimillion pound investment ahead of Bentley unveiling its new 4x4 Sports Utility Vehicle in 2016.

A spokesman for Bentley said: “Ninety new engineers will work on an expanding model range, as part of a £800 million investment over three years on model and facility development.

“This will be in a number of engineering disciplines, including chassis, powertrain, electrical, body and trim and whole vehicle.

“Strengthening Bentley’s skill base not only in the immediate, but long-term will see the recruitment of 51 new apprentices in the 2014 intake.

“Forty of these will be part of a new dedicated manufacturing scheme focused on strengthening core skills as Bentley builds up to the introduction of the Bentley SUV, in 2016.”

The news follows a record year for the Crewe business in 2013, during which time it delivered 10,120 cars – the highest in the company’s 95-year history.

The spokesman added: “Bentley’s engineers bring together traditional skills associated with natural materials with the latest developments in powertrain technologies, an example of which Bentley recently displayed with the Bentley Hybrid Concept, while committing that 90 per cent of Bentley’s production will be available with a plug-in hybrid option by the end of the decade.

“The new engineers will help develop a new generation of Bentleys, which will share the same commitment to performance, quality and engineering excellence.

“Bentley is not just creating a new segment with the Bentley SUV, but developing its current model range, innovating with new products and new markets.”