UP to 400 jobs will be created when a major international manufacturing firm opens its new site in Redditch.

Johnson Controls Automotive will complete the multi-million pound project on Ravensbank Business Park on Friday to begin operating on August 7.

The firm, which has closed its factory in Kings Norton to move to the 10-acre site in Ravensbank Drive, manufacturers interiors for Rover and Land Rover.

Senior plant manager David Beavan said: "It is really good news for Redditch. It will bring stability to the area because there has been a lot of unrest with BMW's decision to sell Rover.

"And Rover has already shed jobs so if there are people who have been affected in Redditch then there will be opportunities for them at Johnson's who are going to benefit."

The firm is holding a job's fare for any interested townsfolk at Redditch Job Centre on Wednesday, July 5, from 1-4pm.

There will be a range of jobs available including some management staff, engineers, quality technicians, material handlers and assembly workers.

Mr Beavan said: "Initially staff will be transferred from our Kings Norton site and then we will take on more people over a period of time."

The site has taken nine months to complete and a proposal to build a 16.5 metre ventilation chimney to safely dispose of chemicals used in a manufacturing process, as well as other development proposals, are now with Bromsgrove Council.

Redditch Council leader Albert Wharrad said: "While Redditch used to be a town where things were made, to some extent over the years that has changed. Now there are more service jobs than manufacturing jobs being created and I have no problem with those sorts of jobs.

"But being a person born and bred in Redditch I certainly welcome the return of the manufacturing industry into Redditch. It has always been the backbone of our economy.