HUNDREDS of local workers are celebrating after Royal Ordnance was awarded a multi-million pound arms contract this week.

The £62m order for specially-designed new Royal Navy shells is likely to safeguard jobs at the firm's Euxton plant.

It's a real boost for the 400-plus workforce at the factory where more than 400 jobs were axed in January 1994.

The contract is for the development assessment and initial production of the improved ammunition which will go into service in 2001.

Euxton will make the equipment for gun systems on the Navy's frigates and destroyers.

Shells will be produced for the 4.5" Mark 8 guns fitted to all T22 Batch 3 and T23 frigates and to all T42 destroyers.

The contract was confirmed in a letter from Ministry of Defence officials to Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle.

Mr Hoyle was delighted at the announcement which came just days after the future of the Eurofighter project was secured.

He said: "This is wonderful news for the area and continues the successful month the North West has had after the Eurofighter project was given backing.

"Obviously Royal Ordnance has been hoping for this sort of contract and I'm very pleased they've won it. This will secure jobs in the area and it's good news for British Aerospace and RO as a whole.

"This is a signal from the Government that Britain can still build the best defence equipment."

Chorley Borough Council leader Jack Wilson said: "This is good news for securing employment in the area and shows that government can make a difference."

Nobody at RO - owned by British Aerospace - was available for comment as the Citizen went to press.

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