Alstom is a major player in the transport market

The jobs of all 2,300 workers at the Alstom plant have been saved after its gas turbine business was sold in a �700m (1.1bn euros) deal.

German firm Siemens has bought the French company's small gas turbines business, which is based mainly in the UK.

Two other areas of the business based mainly in Sweden, Germany and the Czech Republic, have also been sold.

Workers' contracts have been transferred to Siemens - under their existing terms and conditions of employment.

Alstom's finance director, David Allswort, said the sale was very good news for both workers and employers.

Alstom, which merged with GEC five years ago, makes trains and heavy industrial equipment for the energy market.