ADR Accident Repair Centres, the independent bodyshop group, has acquired the Gordon Heliwell bodyshop in Pontefract.

More jobs are now likely to be created as ADR plans a major upgrade of the Bondgate Industrial Estate, said a spokesman for the firm.

ADR completed the purchase last week, re-employing most of the workforce who had recently been made redundant when the bodyshop went into receivership. ADR Accident Repair Centres employs more than 250 staff and recently invested more than £1m on upgrading its repair centre in Rotherham.

It has approved status from manufacturers including Mercedes, Land Rover, Jaguar and Toyota and insurance companies including Esure and Norwich Union.

Managing director, Andy Blair, says: "This site is perfectly placed for us to extend our catchment area. We are delighted to have been able to save the jobs of some excellent staff.”