GLAD and bad tidings have hit the district work scene over the festive period.

A happy New Year is in store for many unemployed with the news up to 500 jobs will be created at a £5 million Kidderminster development.

However, it has been a bleak yuletide at a Stourport firm with the announcement of up to 95 redundancies.

The good news comes at the 45,000 sq ft Green Street Business Centre where work will start within a fortnight to breathe new life into the old Victoria Carpets premises.

The office development, which is due to finish in October, was originally estimated to create 300 jobs when it was first mooted two years ago.

But developer Morbaine has now confirmed the figure would reach up to 500.

Meanwhile, Stourport plastics firm Textron Automotive Ltd, formerly known as Midland Industrial Plastics, has announced up to 95 redundancies for next year.

It has blamed declining sales and changes in working patterns at major customers for the decision.

A company spokesman said: "The first phase of redundancies will focus on managerial and technical positions.

"Further consultation will take place early in the New Year when it is expected that the position concerning customer schedules and working arrangements have been confirmed.

"Every effort will be made to mitigate the effects of this reorganisation, part of which will be to identify alternative opportunities for displaced employees elsewhere with the company."

The firm, which also has a plant in Birmingham, has not had a good festive period in recent years.

Last January it shed 50 positions in a month of misery for Wyre Forest workers when 500 jobs went in the district.

Two years ago the firm axed another 50 jobs, in the wake of the Rover crisis, just before Christmas.

On a brighter note the Green Street developer said tenants are expected to include high-tech companies in the IT and computer industries.

The centre will comprise two main buildings - Campion House, a Victorian Grade II listed building, dating back to the 1850s, and the art deco-style Elgar House, constructed in the 1920s.

The development joins the thriving Crossley Park retail site just off the town centre and the forthcoming multi-million pound KTC1 development.

Morbaine is also developing a new 150,000 sq ft warehouse behind Green Street, next to the ring road for B&Q, which is due to open its new store by the end of 2001.