WIND is the way forward is the message after work started last week on an extension of a factory to build some of the UK's largest wind turbine towers.

Mabey Bridge's 6,000 square metre extension to its £13m Newhouse Farm Industrial Unit near Chepstow is designed to house and build wind turbine towers of up to 40m long.

The firm, based in Chepstow, is now investing a further £25m increasing the size of the plant to build the turbine towers. Once complete, the plant will produce around 300 towers a year, creating 240 new jobs.

The first tower is expected to leave the plant as early as next year.

Mabey Bridge Managing Director, Peter Lloyd, said: "It is exciting to be putting the first spade in the ground and start turning our plans into reality."

Speaking to the Review Mr Lloyd said: "Our primary market is the UK although we will be able to compete in Europe as well.

"Initially the market will be on-shore wind farms in Wales and the south west. In a few years there will also be off-shore wind farms out to sea.

"It will be a mixture of projects, but I strongly believe there will be enough work in the UK, including southern Ireland, to make this plant viable and secure jobs for the long term."

Mabey Bridge announced last week that it is applying for its steel fabrication and coating facility in Lower Chepstow to join the wind tower plant at Newhouse. This will leave the 19 hectare brownfield site open for possible housing development.