A Bradford-based car design company is to start manufacturing vehicles - a first for the city since Jowett ceased production 60 years ago.

Kahn Design will develop its own sports cars, including a retro-styled barchetta and, next year, a re-modelled Aston Martin.

To date, the Canal Road-based firm has specialised in re-styling other vehicles.

The vehicles will be designed and engineered by the Ant-Kahn group, a business collaboration between Kahn Design and motor company owner Ant Anstead.

Kahn Design owner Afzal Kahn believes the cars will follow in the footsteps of the iconic TVR brand and help maintain Britain's place at the forefront of world manufacturing innovation.

He said: "This is the first time in many, many years, that a group of like-minded people have come together and aim to follow in the footsteps of TVR and create some truly special British sports cars.

"In the past, people have promised a great deal yet delivered next to nothing.

"However, we are already working on exciting future plans that extend from coach-built special editions to the manufacture of motor vehicles, and you will see a number of models come to fruition in the coming weeks and months ahead that fuse Britain's glorious automotive heritage with the excitement of our, as of yet unwritten, future."

A heavily-modified Land Rover Defender, called the Flying Huntsman, will also be released. It will be a long-nose Defender powered by a V8 engine, with a six-speed automatic gearbox. The first prototype is being completed at Kahn Design's headquarters on Canal Road.

Mr Kahn said the move into manufacturing is part of an expansion, and that there are no plans to abandon the re-styling side of the business.