Danish brewing company Carlsberg plans to invest GBP20m to expand the brewing operations at its Northampton brewery, which will create 60 new jobs.

The expansion program will include a new bottling line that is capable of filling millions of bottles a year. Inside the new bottling hall, bottles will arrive before being filled, pasteurized, labeled and packed for delivery.

At present, the bottling work is being carried out at bottling factories in France, Glasgow and Cumbria, which are not owned by Carlsberg. The company expects the work to begin in March 2012 if planning permission is granted.

Previously, the company has invested around GBP40m at the Northampton brewery for expansion and development that was completed in October 2011.

The project saw brewing capacity increase from 4.5 million hectoliters to 6.1 million hectoliters, the installation of a third canning line and the introduction of an environmental program to reduce gas and electricity consumption and waste.

The company’s main brand is Carlsberg Beer, a 5% ABV pale lager, marketed as Carlsberg Export in the UK.