'Our link to survival'.

BRETT Townsend (right), managing director of Automotive Trim Development, in Canley, Coventry, says he is one of the lucky ones as his company looks to add to its workforce of 20.

Mr Townsend said: "We have been fortunate, although Rover's plight has made for a very sad week.

"We used to do a lot of engineering for Rover, but diversified thanks to Coventry and Warwickshire's Chamber of Commerce and their Business Link programme. Business Link provided advisors and grants to help us break into new markets."