WORK began earlier this month on a new production facility for Ross-on-Wye based fruit juice and soft drink manufacturer Dayla Liquid Packing.

The new factory will be situated on a three-acre green field site at Overross and at 29,000sq ft it is nearly twice as large as its predecessor at Bill Mills, Dayla's home since 1958.

As a result of the new factory, the 35-strong workforce could be increased by at least 10 by the time it opens in September.

"Finding a suitable site that has further expansion potential, while being easily reached by its employees, hasn't been easy and I am pleased that Dayla can now consolidate its position as one of the town's larger employers," said Sue Rudge, banking solutions manager with Lloyds TSB Commercial, the company's long-term bankers.

Dayla Liquid Packing supplies companies such as Coca Cola, Britvic and Vimto and the company has invested in bag-in-box technology and filling techniques to sustain its position as a market leader in the liquid packing market.