FIVE major international companies have expressed interest in taking over the whole of the Ford Bridgend engine plant site.

They are among 21 businesses who have expressed interest in the 1.2million sq ft site when Ford end production there in September, said Welsh Economy Minister Ken Skates after meeting the Ford Bridgend Task Force.

He confirmed £100,000 of public money will be invested in the local area and region to encourage enterprise among the 1,200 Ford workers who will lose their jobs but want to remain working, also boosting businesses in Bridgend town centre and assisting Porthcawl Resort to win more visitors.

"So instead of relying on one major business we will spread the opportunities over a wider area and type of businesses," said Mr Skates.

"The £100,000 investment is for feasibility studies only and we are ready and willing to put in more money where it is needed to help Bridgend and the region recover and develop with a more diverse economy after Ford go later this year."

He added that since announcing its closure six months ago, Ford had "significantly improved" the level of legacy funding it intended to leave behind for projects and announcements about this will be made in coming weeks.