A fuel distribution company has pledged its future to a Norfolk town after opening a new depot as part of its expansion plans.

Former Norwich City goalkeeper Bryan Gunn performed the ribbon cutting duties at Rix Petroleum East Anglia yesterday after it moved from Besthorpe to a larger site at Attleborough.

The fuel firm has invested �750,000 in creating a 300,000 litre fuel storage facility in West Carr Lane, which safeguards 16 jobs in the area and will create further employment opportunities as the site becomes fully operational.

It comes after initial proposals to relocate to the new Victory Park industrial area in Attleborough met opposition from residents and councillors last year.

The depot will serve as a distribution point for commercial diesel and residential heating oil across Norfolk and Suffolk.

Rory Beath, director of Rix Petroleum East Anglia, which has an annual turnover of �50m, said he was 'extremely pleased' the business was remaining in the area. The new site will also help to secure fuel supplies from London.

'It is always challenging to find the right site to relocate to when creating a new operation like this, you have to be prepared for a few knockbacks and to search throughout the wider region.'

'Therefore we were extremely pleased to be granted planning permission for the West Carr Lane site. It means we can expand in line with our plans by moving just five miles up the road. Also we can retain our staff which is fantastic news for us and them.

'This is a significant investment on Rix's part and it secures the future of the company in Attleborough and East Anglia generally,' he said.

Rix Petroleum is a fifth generation family company which has been operating for 125 years in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, the Midlands, Scotland and East Anglia.

Mr Gunn said it was great news for Attleborough that Rix was staying in the Attleborough area.

'It gives me great honour to be opening this depot. East Anglia needs great businesses like Rix Petroleum to invest in its people and drive its economy forward, particularly after the last few years of economic turbulence,' he said.