A MOVE to bring jobs and a £1.2 million investment back to the deserted former Sealine factory in Kidderminster has been hailed as "great news" by the town's MP.

Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier was speaking after Stourbridge-based fibreglass manufacturing firm Quantum Mouldings announced it would create up to 10 new jobs in the area and invest £1.2 million in refurbishing the site, off Worcester Road.

The company, which has a £1.6 million turnover, said it had outgrown its existing premises in Stourbridge, where it employs 25 staff and says the move will allow it to take on bigger contracts and move into emerging green markets.

Conservative MP Mr Garnier said: "This is great news for Kidderminster. I am delighted that a local family business is able to give the site a new lease of life and provide new opportunities for employment."

Bosses at Quantum Mouldings say the new Kidderminster-based factory will provide twice the amount of space - 50,000 sq ft - and allow the firm to grow, with a predicted turnover of £5 million within five years.

The company's owner and director Peter Wooldridge said: “We are delighted to be able to offer new opportunities to highly-skilled workers that may have lost their jobs last year. We are passionate about keeping manufacturing skills in the area and re-establishing the production of GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) products in Kidderminster.”

Work on building new offices at the site and upgrading the factory will now begin before new machinery is installed. It is hoped production will begin in September.

Mr Wooldridge said: “We have been restricted on our current site for some time by lack of space. The new premises will enable us to purchase new machinery and improve production processes that will make us more efficient.

“We are also looking to build on our experience with green technology companies. We have already supplied parts for wind turbines and electric vehicles and believe there is huge potential to develop more business in this exciting market sector.”