Jaguar is on the brink of announcing it is to create a new engine plant on the new i54 business park, bringing 1,000 jobs to the Midlands.

A rival site based in Wales has been officially ruled out of the race, leaving the plant near Junction 2 of the M54 in a straight fight with India.

The plant would be about 800,000 sq ft and would be a major boost to scores of firms who supply the automotive industry in the region.

Mark Prisk, Conservative business and enterprise minister, confirmed the i54 site was now a frontrunner during a visit to Wolverhampton’s aerospace giant Moog, which is also building a new base on the site.

Jaguar’s parent firm, Indian-owned Tata, must decide whether to choose the £67 million i54 site or opt for an alternative plan in its home country.

To read our stories in full, log in to the premium 24 website.