A SURREY-based company is looking to double its operation in Malvern with plans for new offices.

Stasys is looking to move into a 9,000 square feet office development on the Enigma Business Park.

Stasys has been operating in the town since 2000. Its 25 Malvern employees work from offices on the business park owned by Malvern-based HM Computing, next to the site of the proposed building.

As owners of the land, HM Computing has lodged the planning application for the office development with Malvern Hills District Council. HM would then be free to let out the office space Stasys currently uses.

Stasys specialises in supplying digital data links and customers the Met Office and NATO.

Nick Gadd, head of administration at Stasys, said he expected between 25 to 30 more employees to be based in Malvern.

He added: "It's an ideal location in Malvern because we do some work with QinetiQ and we have easy access to the Ministry of Defence's Defence Procurement Agency in Bristol."

Mr Gadd warned that the highly skilled jobs are unlikely to go to local people and that only "one or two" support staff may be recruited from the area.

Malvern Link district councillor Ian Hopwood said he was sure Malvern would benefit from the investment.

"It's a boost to the town," he said. "Any jobs down on the business park are good."

Paul Dawson, of Worcestershire and Herefordshire Chamber and Commerce, said: "This is one of the best things that's happened. It's part of the on-going development of the technological corridor from Birmingham to Malvern.

"It brings in jobs from other areas but they will move in and spend their money here."