Whittal Williams, a Welsh vehicle body repair and hire company, has relocated its workshop in a move which will create 50 jobs.

Formerly based at Abergavenny, the company now moved to a 42,000 sq ft site in the Heads of the Valleys, South Wales. It is more than five times the size of the previous site.

With an investment of £2 million, the site will double its capacity, processing around 90 vehicles a week.

Staff numbers will double to 100.

Michael Bright, Whittal Williams managing director, said: “The new operation will make us the largest independent body shop in Wales and the South West.”

He said the new location meant it was well positioned to serve Abergavenny to Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil as well as Swansea, Cardiff and Bristol.

The company also oper-ates a vehicle hire facility from the site, with a fleet of 420 vehicles. It has retained its vehicle hire business in Abergavenny.