Plans to build a private Formula One car museum and conference centre are likely to go ahead after winning the support of councillors.

The Williams F1 racing team, based in Grove, has unveiled plans to upgrade its conference suite and museum.

The company, which moved to Grove from Didcot in 1996, hires out the centre and museum to other businesses.

The museum - which is occasionally opened to the general public - currently houses 36 classic racing cars, driven by such racing legends as Ayrton Senna, Damon Hill, Jack Villeneuve and Nigel Mansell.

However, Williams claims the facilities have become outdated and cramped.

It wants to revamp the centre in a larger building in an unused part of the factory.

Vale of White Horse District council members have given the scheme the thumbs up, with the final go-ahead delegated to officers, provided highways, landscaping, drainage and noise conditions are met.

The plan will provide a state-of-the-art museum and multimedia visitor centre housing the existing collection of vehicles, interactive multi-media displays and more space for new cars.

Company spokesman Liam Clogger said: "We have a well-used motor sport-themed conference centre, but it has outlived its useful life as it is not big enough.

"We are now hoping to enhance it.

"As with the existing centre, It will be a commercial facility which will be leased to local companies for meetings and conferences.

"The idea is to make it more engaging and give more background to the cars. We will not be tearing up green fields. There will be no external work, and local residents won't have to put up with anything that intrudes into the quiet tranquility of Grove."

The district council's area planning officer, Ken Dijksman, said: "The council was very supportive because the company is expanding on its existing site.

"This is a company with strong links to the area and the plans were consistant with the council's employment policy."