DOZENS of new jobs are being created at Shoreham Airport with the opening of two new businesses.

Transair UK Ltd, which supplies aviation equipment, is opening a new shop, warehouse and office, with 30 full and part-time posts.

The firm is spending hundreds of thousands of pounds constructing a 20,000 sq ft building.

When it opens in September it will house a shop selling aircraft parts and books, videos and clothing for aviation enthusiasts. An ex-RAF Harrier jet will be mounted near the building's entrance.

Tom Moloney the firm's managing director, said: "We picked Shoreham because of the positive attitude of the local authority and the airport management.

"It is a successful airport and we want to be associated with it. With the Harrier at the front, it should be an interesting place to visit."

Quadrant Systems Ltd is also opening new premises at the site to create about ten new full and part-time jobs over the next year.

The firm, based in Victoria Gardens, Burgess Hill, provides training for flight crews and develops flight simulation equipment.

The news is the latest boost for the airport, which could be used by up to 200,000 people a year to fly to destinations including Amsterdam, Edinburgh and Paris.

Plans under consideration could see bigger planes and longer runways.

But some councillors fear residents living nearby could be hit by noise and more cars using access roads.

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