PLANS for a £250 million motorsport venue in Ebbw Vale went on show to the public tonight in the first of a series of public exhibitions.

The proposed Circuit of Wales, set to be built in Rassau, includes a world class 3.5 mile racetrack for events including MotoGP, World Superbikes, World Motorcross and Touring Car.

The 830-acre site would also have an international kart track and motorcross track and a racing academy.

Details about the centre, which would bring 9,000 new jobs, went on show at Rassau Community Hall tonight

This was the first of nine public consultation sessions to be held across Blaenau Gwent over the next fortnight.

Resident JP Healey said: "It's a good investment and the opportunity for youngsters to be in full time employment which they've never had since the closure of the Ebbw Vale steelworks."

He said this will be an incentive for youngsters to earn money and be independent.

David Herbert, 64, said: "We're in favour of the plans as such but were a bit disappointed with the exhibition. We were looking for a bit more detail about what could happen."

Janice Cotterell, 51, said she had concerns about parking and widening the access road near her home but said she was given assurances about this at the exhibition.

She said: "I think it's going to be good for the area."

Philip Cleaton and 14 other members from Ralley Stage Team visited the exhibition yesterday.

Mr Cleaton said: "Its nice to see something like this coming to the Valleys."

Feedback from local residents will then be used before the plans are submitted to the local council next month.

If the plans are approved, work could start early next year and the complex opening in 2015.

Ebbw Vale could be the new home for British motorsport with the events reaching more than 100 million households and is expected to boost the Welsh economy by £50 million a year in tourism and business investment.

THE public exhibition will move to Garnlydan OAP Centre Tuesday and then the Met in Abertillery on Wednesday

Thursday's exhibition will be at Ty Ebbw Fach in Six Bells and then at the Ebbw Vale Institute on Friday.

Each session this week will be held between 4pm and 7pm.

For details of next week's locations, see southwalesargus.co.uk