A HUGE sigh of relief was felt at the Chippenham factory of Avon Rubber last week as 300 workers were told their jobs are safe.

The new owners of the company's automotive business have assured the car parts workers that they will not be losing their jobs.

Last Monday Wiltshire-based Avon sold the division, which accounts for nearly 80 per cent of its sales, to its US-based managers for £63m.

Under the deal, the ownership of the automotive division passes to managers based in the US town of Cadillac, Michigan.

But a spokesman for the management team confirmed the Chippenham jobs would be retained.

The factory employs almost 300 people who make rubber engine vibration management systems, including shock absorbers and gearbox mounts.

Now the new owners, led by managing director Leland Richards, plan to invest in the Chippenham plant.

A spokesman said: "The automotive business is successful and the objective is to grow it to fulfil its potential.

"There are no plans at this time to close any facilities."

The past few years have been a testing time for the company. In 2002 Avon closed its Trowbridge car hose operation with the loss of 270 jobs. The work was transferred to Portugal.