UP to 500 jobs could be created thanks to a new development near Worcester.

The 10.5-acre brownfield site in Norton is being redeveloped to provide warehouses and major units for interested companies.

Its location, close to the M5, is expected to attract huge interest from companies anxious to relocate to a more convenient site.

Developer and contractor Alfred McAlpine Special Projects has teamed up with Horton's Estates from Birmingham to level the site, which was formerly occupied by Morganite Crucible.

"It's a superb location as it's so close to the M5 and it has links to every part of the county," said a spokesman for the developers.

"The beauty is that it's being developed on a brownfield site which means that it's not taking up any agricultural land.

"We're currently knocking down industrial buildings on the site to level it."

The site, named Area 7 is on Woodbury Lane adjacent to the A44 Pershore Road.

Harris Lamb, a leading chartered surveyor practice in Worcester, and CB Hillier Parker from Birmingham, are responsible for its marketing.

"The levelling of the site will take us about two months," said the spokesman for Alfred McAlpine Special Projects.

"Our aim is to produce something that will look nice, and it will most likely take us another 18 months before completion.

"It's such an ideal site and should be a great success."

The site, which is situated one mile from Junction 7 on the M5, was formerly occupied by Morganite Crucible until the company downsized.

However, the factory has now demolished most of its building, leaving 60 per cent of the space for new businesses to move in.

Morganite has now built a new factory in the area as part of a rationalisation process in order to safeguard 180 jobs.

The firm had to cut 60 jobs in 1999 due to the strength of the pound affecting its overseas markets.