A MAJOR Ross-on-Wye employer is set to expand after buying an empty service station and a BP garage on the edge of the town.

Ross Labels plans to demolish the petrol filling station and redevelop the former Happy Eater restaurant as part of a company expansion programme on the northbound carriageway of the A449.

A planning application, outlining the construction of an independent office suite with a new entrance lobby on the site of the BP garage, was submitted to Herefordshire planners last Friday.

If successful, Ross Labels founder and chief executive Angie Ellis said she hoped work would begin this summer, creating a number of jobs opportunities in the area and taking the number of employees at the company to over one hundred.

"Since building our new store nearly three years ago, we've actively sought further ways to grow our business in Ross-on-Wye, with a long-term view to facilitating more secure employment for the local community, while developing tourism within the town," she said.

"The vast majority of our team live in and around Ross-on-Wye, many of whom have worked with us for a number of years. Ross Labels takes its responsibility as an employer very seriously. We endeavour to play a proactive role within our community and have always hoped we would be able to continue to develop our business in Ross-on-Wye."