TALKS have begun to develop two empty service stations on the edge of Ross-on-Wye.

The closure of the Welcome Break centre, opposite the derelict site of a former Happy Eater restaurant on the A449, has created an unwanted eyesore on the northern gateway into the market town.

First Motorway Services are the potential buyers and have started preliminary negotiations with the owners to revamp the boarded-up buildings into working service areas.

The company's managing director, Rob Miller, said: "We currently have a license to run the two BP garages on either side of the A449 with a view to buying them.

"If our negotiations with BP are successful, we would be keen to develop the two service stations next to the petrol stations and recruit people from the area to work there.

"The whole place has lacked investment for a number of years and looks run down."

Rod McKie, chief operating officer of Welcome Break, recognised First's interest and explained why the company had closed the site after 15 years of trading in Herefordshire.

"As the site is not located on a motorway, we decided to close it down," he said. "The decision had nothing to do with the area. This is now part of our corporate strategy, whereby all our service stations have to be located next to motorways."