Expansion plans have been agreed for a Dorchester garage business, which could see a new franchise for the county town and an increase in jobs.

The Magna Motor Company, which runs the Mazda and adjoining Nissan businesses off Millers Close, has been given permission to build a new showroom on the opposite side of the road to its main sales area.

Its proposal involves demolishing a former NHS building on the corner of the road, currently used for valeting, and putting up a new showroom.

The site is on the corner of Millers Close opposite Grove House and Mole Valley Farmers.

A company spokesman said that talks are close to a conclusion about the new franchise, but it is unable to name which brand might be coming to the Dorchester site until the deal has been signed off.

Magna currently employs 37 showroom, support and technical staff on the Millers Close site and says that the expansion could bring ten new jobs.

The company moved its local Mazda franchise to Dorchester from Upwey last year, taking up the space which was previously Citroen.

It has five Mazda outlets in the South including Bournemouth and Poole, Southampton and Salisbury.