Orthopaedic company Xiros Plc is to move to a £3 million state-of-the-art headquarters building close to Leeds Bradford International Airport.

Construction work has started at Spring-field House, near to the airport terminal building, where the former school property is being redeveloped.

The 25,000 sq ft building will provide offices together with hi-tech research and manufacturing facilities for Xiros which will move from its existing base close to Leeds University in early 2004.

Trish Doidge, business development manager at Xiros said: "Xiros has been searching for some time to secure an appropriate new head office which could provide for all our specific needs.

"Springfield House will provide much-needed accommodation for our expanding business. This will be our second major property transaction over the last decade with Rushbond Plc and our staff are very much looking forward to the move."

Councillor Denise Atkinson, chairman of the Board of Directors at Leeds Bradford International Airport said: "The airport and its hinterland are experiencing a sustained period of growth and development and we welcome Xiros's relocation further enhancing the commercial offer surrounding the airport."

Jonathan Maud, managing director of Leeds property development company Rushbond, which is carrying out the redevelopment for Xiros, said the deal represented the largest out-of-town transaction in Leeds this year.