Fox’s Biscuits is increasing its number of permanent staff as demand for its products grows.

The business, which is owned by 2 Sisters Food Group, is creating 74 full-time jobs at its factory in Batley, West Yorkshire, which produces 550 tonnes of biscuits a week.

Fox’s employs 700 full-time permanent employees and increases its workforce to 1,300 staff including temporary workers during peak times such as the run-up to Christmas.

The company said it has strong involvement in the local community, sponsoring the Batley Bulldogs rugby club and stadium.

“We are really pleased to announce these new roles,” said Fox’s Biscuits general manager Stephen Mulligan. “We are very proud of our heritage in Batley and to be able to play such a key part in the local community."

Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin, who worked at the Batley factory as a teenager, said she was “thrilled” to hear the local firm was continuing to thrive at a time of “great economic uncertainty”.

“I was very encouraged to hear about the firm’s dedication to training and upskilling their staff, something that is vital with the increased automation of industry we will see over the coming years,” she added.

“Fox’s Biscuits is an extremely important business here in Batley and I look back fondly on my time on the production lines in my late teens. I hope the business continues to thrive and remains an integral part of the Batley landscape for decades to come.”

In December, Fox’s announced that managing director Colin Smith would leave the business in April to become chief executive of salad producer Natures Way Foods.