A CWMBRAN car sales firm is planning to relocate its business - and create 52 extra jobs.

Autopia Motors, currently based in Llantarnam Road, was recently given permission to convert the vacant Siebe Gorman factory near Avondale Way into a car sales site.

Autopia Motors says it will display 300 cars at the Avondale Way site, predominately indoors, on the 1.8 hectare site

The company also claims approximately 52 new jobs will be created by the new development.

A spokesman for Autopia Motors said the new jobs will include valeters, mechanics, administration staff and sales people.

The spokesman added that the land it owns in Llantarnam could possibly be sold. He said: "We would be willing to sell it if necessary. We don'"t see a use for it ourselves."

That leaves people living opposite the current site in Llantarnam wondering what will replace it.

But Ken Shier, 39, said: "It's better the devil you know. At the moment we are used to it being here and it's not an inconvenience.

"At least with it being a car sales lot police are around regularly checking it out to make sure things are OK."

And neighbour Jean Sergent, said: "I have been here five years and enjoy seeing the cars there. I have no complaints.

"There's no noise or anything and in the night it's lit up and provides security for residents as well as Autopia. I will be sorry to see them go. We don't know what will replace it."