A BUSINESS centre in Brinkworth is expanding, creating 14 new office units.

Brinkworth House, a nineteenth century manor house, has been converted into a business and events centre.

Now an extension is being added to the building and the foundation stone will be laid by North Wiltshire MP James Gray on Friday, April 4.

The new development has been designed to complement the existing building and is due to be completed by the end of the summer.

The expansion will treble the amount of office space and create employment opportunities for local residents.

The house was built between 1871 and 1881 and originally had three storeys.

The first owner was a military man Capt Robert Bearsley of the 5th Dragoons.

After having a succession owners, it was converted in 1997 into a business centre.

Two years later the facilities there were expanded to include a virtual business centre.

This includes such features as providing business support to national firms as well as ones based in the building.

Ken Cooper, proprietor of Brinkworth House, hopes the extra space will attract companies from surrounding areas will to set up offices at the centre.

Based in Brinkworth House is the Virtual Business Centre, a service that provides business support to national companies as well as ones based in Brinkworth House.

The Virtual Business centre will occupy a number of the new offices.