Hamilton and relocate their entire headquarters.

Planning officials have given outline permission for the firm's Church Street base to be rebuilt as a five-storey office block, conference centre and shops.

The decision allows Cable and Wireless executives to press ahead with plans to sell the $3 million-plus building.

The firm has only applied for planning permission to redevelop its Church Street base to make the building more attractive to potential buyers.

Bosses want to move their entire operation to the company's Devonshire base.

And spokesman John Instone said the relocation to Middle Road could now take place early in the New Year.

Office space is already being cleared in preparation for the move, he said.

Mr. Instone added: "We still own the Church Street building and the plan is for us to move the entire operation.

"The engineering side is already based in Devonshire and it's just the marketing, financial and human resources side, plus the general manager's office, which is in Hamilton.

And the Development Applications Board officially handed Cable and Wireless "in principle'' approval for a potential overhaul of the building, yesterday.

The permission was granted despite objections from the Corporation of Hamilton that the offices would jut out beyond the "building line'' on Church Street.

BUSINESS BUC