A model of the new Lyons Seafoods factoryWORK on a £4m seafood factory in Warminster got under way this week. Lyons Seafood's multi-million pound project for its base in Fairfield Road will create up to 50 new jobs.

The project was given the go-ahead by West Wiltshire District Council in March.

The new factory will have new manufacturing facilities, a large cold store and modern head office accommodation.

Bosses at Lyons decided to expand after a 45 per cent growth rate over the past three years.

But town councillors in Warminster have questioned whether the new factory is in the best location.

Lyons chief executive Ole Norgaard said: "Preparing the site has been more complex than initially thought and we are delighted to be entering the more visible stage of the project.

"People and especially our staff will now be able to see the new facility taking shape.

"It's going to give us the truly world class base we need to build on our success, both in fresh and frozen seafood.

"We're already a major player, but this is a big step forward for the company and the highly skilled workforce."

Lyons has been based in Warminster since 1958, and now employs 300 people.

The new complex will open in the autumn.

All staff and operations from the firm's Bishopstrow site will be moved into the new factory but its Codford base will not be affected.

Warminster mayor Martin Baker said the scheme would have both good and bad consequences for the town.

"I would have preferred the site to be outside of town and this site to be developed for housing," he said.

"We might well have a problem with lorries coming and going through the town as Lyons is a major national employer.

"However it is obviously good for the town that a major employer is staying put.

"Anything that creates new jobs is positive so it is really just a compromise of good and bad factors."