A high-tech firm could double in size after oustripping its current base and moving to new premises.

Oxford Technologies, which manufactures remote handling systems to deal with hazardous materials such as nuclear waste, has moved to a unit in Nuffield Way, Abingdon, that has twice the capacity of the previous building in the same location.

Set up in 2000 by engineers providing remote handling for the JET nuclear fusion facility in Culham, Oxford Technologies has expanded the use of remote handling into new markets including space where it has worked on a robotic Mars exploration vehicle and ITER, the world's largest fusion reactor being built in France.

The new building will provide workshop and laboratory facilities, as well as a state-of-the-art, virtual reality suite.

Managing director Alan Rolfe said: “The move to our new offices follows another year of continued growth as the company’s skills and technology remains in demand.

“We want to establish a centre of excellence in remote handling in Abingdon. It's important that we continue to develop our systems to meet the growing demand for the technology particularly in fusion and high energy physics.”

Oxford Technologies currently has a staff of 24 engineers, five of whom joined the company last year.