THE Morgan Car Company has submitted a planning application to build a new workshop at its factory in Malvern Link.

The proposed expansion is a result of the success of the firm's new Aero 8 sports car, which has just had its UK launch at the Motor Show in Birmingham.

The new building will be set aside for final assembly of the Aero 8, which has been praised by the motoring press.

Manufacturing manager Steve Morris said: "At the moment, it's just an area at the back of the site which we use for car parking, but there's plenty of space to park elsewhere."

Managing director Charles Morgan said: "We've had quite a big success with the Aero 8 and, since its launch in Geneva in March, we've taken 550 orders for it. That's in addition to orders for our other cars.

"So that left us with a rather nice problem: where can we assemble them all? Hence the proposed new building.

"What we're aiming to do is offer the same customer service we offer for the older models, so buyers can come in and see their cars being assembled."

Mr Morgan said the Motor Show debut of the Aero 8 was a great success.

"We've had a lot of interest at the stand, since this is one of the new British cars at the show. The response in the press has also been very favourable," he said.

Mr Morgan said he hoped the car's success would lead to more jobs at the Malvern factory.

"We want to continue our policy of bringing in young people who are interested in getting involved both with the technology and craft of making fine motor cars," he said.