THOUSANDS of local aerospace jobs have been saved after Germany's decision to press on with the Eurofighter project.

And Chorley's MP Lindsay Hoyle has received an important accolade after leading the fight to defend the scheme.

News that Eurofighter now has full European backing settled months of doubt about its future and safeguarded up to 10,000 jobs across the North-West.

A spokesperson for BAe's Warton plant, near Preston, said: "We welcome this further and very important indication of Germany's commitment to the project and look forward to receiving confirmation in the autumn."

Mr Hoyle was delighted at Friday's announcement by German finance minister Theo Weigel that £600m had been found to back the next phase of Eurofighter's development.

Mr Hoyle led a House of Commons debate about the issue last Wednesday and spoke to defend the project.

The scheme received all-party support and Mr Hoyle believed the timing of the debate was vital, ahead of Germany's decision.

He said: "It's wonderful news for the thousands of local people whose livelihoods depend on Eurofighter."

Following the favourable German decision, Mr Hoyle was appointed vice-chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party defence committee.

He added: "I'm delighted that confidence has been placed in me and it means I'll be regularly attending meetings at the Ministry of Defence."

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