A SALISBURY company which has been a world leader in its field for 120 years is set to become one of the first to take up residence in the new 160-acre Solstice Park development in Amesbury.

The Tintometer Ltd, which specialises in the manufacture and development of colorimeters to test and analyse a wide range of products, is moving out of its home in Waterloo Road, Salisbury, after signing a deal to acquire a freehold property from developer Abbey Manor Group.

Construction work on the company's new premises has started and will provide 12,000sq ft of high specification offices, laboratory and production space.

The Tintometer site was acquired by property consultants Vail Williams, and Irene Spencer, a partner at their Southampton office, said: "Solstice Park will soon become a major employment area in south Wiltshire and it's great to be involved in this deal on behalf of The Tintometer Ltd.

"They will lead the way for other companies relocating to the business park. "

Chris Counsell, managing director of The Tintometer, which has been based in Salisbury since it was founded in 1885, said: "We are pleased to be one of the first businesses to relocate to Solstice Park, which will offer us room to expand our operations and endorse our reputation as a global supplier of scientific instrumentation."

The company uses the Lovibond colorimeter founded by a Salisbury brewer to test the quality and colour of his beer using coloured glass.

Today, Tintometer uses the system to test products as diverse as beer and petrol, coatings and beverages.

When complete, Solstice Park will be one of the largest business parks in the south.

It will provide 20 acres of land for offices, 20 acres for industrial and distribution purposes, 11 acres of leisure facilities and up to 60 acres for major company headquarters buildings.

The Tintometer Ltd's building is part of the first phase of Abbey Manor Group's development at Solstice Park.

The developer is also constructing other industrial/warehousing units and the Beacon Centre, which will consist of 55,000sq ft of speculative office and light industrial space.