UP to seven new jobs should be created following the expansion of a precious metals recycling firm in Cinderford.

BASF Metals Recycling employees came from as far away as the United States, Germany and Italy to celebrate the opening of the new facility in the town's Forest Vale Industrial Estate.

The firm formerly traded in Cinderford under the name Englehards and has been in the town since 1962.

BASF has now expanded its operation into a 56,000sqft unit opposite its historic site which will remain in use – making Cinderford the hub of the company's European metals recycling operations.

BASF spokesman Chris Wilson said: "We currently have more than 70 employees in Cinderford operating across multiple shifts.

"We have expanded our local headcount since Engelhard was acquired by BASF in 2006.

"Our current expansion project will allow us to drive an additional increase in headcount as we fully ramp up the new site in 2012.

"About seven new jobs will be created in the next year."