A LEADING businessman has tabled two bids to buy parts of collapsed carmaker MG Rover, it was confirmed this morning.

David James said one bid was for the MG sports car brand and the means to build niche cars under contract to other manufacturers.

The alternative bid also covered the Powertrain engine business.

Mr James said in a statement: "The combination of one or the other of these and another successful bid for the Rover related assets, from a third party, will provide the optimum combination that will be in the best interests of the creditors."

Two Chinese firms, Shanghai Automotive and Nanjing have also put in bids for the business, both likely to see production resume at Longbridge. The administrators are expected to give a decision on the sale in a week.

The Worcester plant opened in 1995 and today it produces more than 1,000 different access hardware lines, half of which are exported throughout the world.

Its accessories are used for application in the marine, networking, telecommunications, computer, automotive, construction, caravan, and industrial machinery industries.