THE Center Parcs holiday resort in Longleat is set to spend its share of a £40m investment in the company that should preserve jobs for full and part-time staff.

The company will build new accommodation, convert standard villas to executive suites and upgrade swimming pools and restaurants for its four holiday villages across the UK.

A spokeswoman for Brunswick, the company that deals with Center Parcs' finance, said that around a quarter of the money would go to Longleat.

Some of the money will go towards the building of 10 detached holiday villas, providing planning permission is granted.

A spokesman for Center Parcs said: "Longleat village employs approximately 1,300 staff and we are looking to enhance the facilities.

"It's good news for the area as we will be requiring new workers."

Center Parcs CEO, Martin Dalby, said: "We are delighted to have secured this facility with our landlord, Sun Capital.

"We now have in place the funding for core business expansion over the next three years of investments."

Center Parcs UK comprises four short-break holiday villages across the country.

The company sold the sites in November 2002 in a sale and leaseback arrangement with Sun Capital.