Severn and Wye Smokery boss Richard Cook is believed to be the new owner of the former Pine End Works in Lydney.

Richard was not denying rumours that the derelict industrial site – up for sale for £1 million – could become the new base for his company.

It comes at a time of exciting developments for the firm, which has just opened a new plant in Grimsby and sent a delegation of staff to China in a bid to tap into their export market.

Rumours were rife that the Smokery was to move part of the business on to a different site, after efforts to create lagoons to deal with waste water caused controversy at its current base in Chaxhill.

Critics said the smokery had outgrown its rural location and would be more suited to an industrial estate.

Business owner Richard would not deny that he had bought the 12-acre Pine End Works site where panels for the wooden bomber plane the Mosquito were once made.

He said: "We'll have a look at any site. But I'm very happy with where the business is located at the moment and there is more potential at this site that we can exploit."

Richard added that the trip to China had gone very well, saying: "It's a different culture and there is a different outlook on life there. There is a growing demand for quality, high-end Western goods and food products. I think things will start to happen in a small way at first and nothing will happen overnight.

"But once we have a larger customer base, which includes both national and international markets, it will mean that we will be less reliant on the UK economy firing on all cylinders.

"Exporting to China won't necessarily lead to immediate expansion but it will bring job security."

The company has supplied fish to many prestigious events recently including the Olympic Games, Wimbledon and the Royal Chelsea Flower Show.

A planning inquiry from January 15-25 at the district council chambers in Coleford will review the Smokery's plans to install waste water lagoons at Chaxhill.