A FIRM that manufactures car body shells and components is to start production at the former MG Rover factory in Longbridge, creating up to 450 new jobs, it was announced.

The epm technology group said the North Works site, which borders on North Worcestershire, will become the world's leading producer of lightweight body shells when production starts next February.

About 150 jobs will be created by the end of next year but the company said the potential number of workers to be taken on could reach 450.

The work is completely separate from the plan by Chinese firm Nanjing to restart car production at the huge factory in Birmingham.

The North Works is owned by regional development agency Advantage West Midlands, which will lease the site to epm.

Epm managing director Graham Mulholland said: "The 100,000 sq foot site will enable us to meet the growing expectations of automotive customers worldwide who are increasingly turning to composite materials as an effective way to reduce the weight of their vehicles, improve fuel economy and meet environmental targets.

"This investment, which is one of the largest automotive composite projects ever to be undertaken by a private company, will help to hasten a new dawn for Longbridge, generating new business, deploying the very latest technology and creating new jobs for the area."

John Edwards, chief executive of Advantage West Midlands, said: "This is absolutely fantastic news for the region as a whole."

The firm, which has two other factories in Coalville and Derby, said it will manufacture body shells for sports cars and other vehicles.

ready for final assembly.