A £5m scheme to redevelop West Wales Airport at Aberporth has been unveiled this week.

Hailed as the "next step" in the development of ParcAberporth, the scheme involves the building of a two-storey 48-bedroom hotel, a training centre, new terminal building and control tower plus two large hangers and a new fire station.

A new access will also be created off the main A487 road.

Local councillors and residents have already been briefed on the plan by airport boss Ray Mann, and now an exhibition on the scheme is open to the public.

The plan was submitted to Ceredigion planners this week.

It will mean West Wales Airport will be on a par with City airport in London and become the main airport for west Wales, outstripping Haverfordwest and Swansea.

"This is a huge step forward," Ray Mann told the Tivy-Side.

"The airport needs this infrastructure to move it along, to make it grow.

"With the Assembly's investment in ParcAberporth this is now all coming to fruition.

"We are all in it for the long term and are committed to the project. You have to set your stall out and be very patient."

The scheme for the airport was first mooted along with the tech park back in 2002.

Since then Mr Mann and his company have withstood a lot of criticism.

"We are still here five years later. It is a huge investment for us and it's for the long term. We are not like a call centre that's going to hive the jobs off to India - we are here on the ground," he said.

His comments were backed up by airport manager Barrie Forster.

"Since 2002 we have been building up a reputation. This airport safeguards what is already here - the range at Aberporth. Any development has to be of benefit to the community."

Peter Tanner, managing director of QinetiQ's system evaluation services division, said: "The plans for the airport to increase its capabilities, facilities and services are excellent news. QinetiQ is currently investing in the west Wales UAV Centre at ParcAberporth and these plans provide the basis for further business investment in the region and ultimately could provide valuable employment opportunities."

And Dr Sue Wolfe, the Assembly's strategic aerospace manager, said: "ParcAberporth has always worked closely with the airport, we are mutually dependant on each other.

"This development will be the next step, bringing extra capabilities to the parc and Ceredigion."

The exhibition, which is housed in the airport's main building, is open from 12.30pm to 2pm on weekdays plus 4pm to 6pm on Tuesday and Thursdays. Appointments for different times can be made by telephoning the airport on 01239 811100.