A CHIPPENHAM business is celebrating this week after becoming one of the first fully qualified Financial Services Associated vehicle finance brokers in the country.

Auto Business Solutions, based on the Ivy Road Industrial Estate, is starting a bright new year.

It is hoping to expand rapidly over the next five years, more than trebling the workforce from seven to 24.

And it plans to hold several free advice seminars for local people, including how to retain staff and how best to finance a car.

Auto Business Solutions finds and finances cars for businesses and individuals in the most cost-effective way possible.

Last year the company financed around one vehicle per day, with clients including the American Embassy, Marie Curie Cancer Care and Isle of Wight Ferries.

In July 2004 the firm became an Investor in People and later in the summer it took over as sponsors of the Chippenham Sunday Football League.

Managing director John Mitchell started the business from scratch six years ago, and it was based in Bradford on Avon until it relocated to Chippenham last year.

"Chippenham is on the up," he said. "We believe it is a growing community and a vibrant town."