The RAF is creating up to 100 new jobs in one of Wales' employment blackspots.

The civilian firm which maintains the military aircraft on RAF Valley on Anglesey has confirmed it plans to increase its workforce over the next eight to 10 months.

Ieuan Wyn Jones is delighted

The expansion comes as the airforce is to operate more flights from the base.

Defence company Brown & Root and Marshall Aerospace (Brama) has won the contract to service the planes to be used in the fast-jet pilot-training programme.

The jobs announcement has been hailed by Anglesey AM Ieuan Wyn Jones.

"It's great news that further jobs are being created and I hope that the vast majority can be recruited locally," said the Plaid Cymru leader.

"Many of the jobs are highly skilled, and we need these skills to be available within the local community."

Mr Jones also said the move would go some way to enhancing the economic prospects of the area.

Anglesey council leader Goronwy Parry said it was good news for jobs on the island.

"The news will give many of our young people a clear signal that they can be assured of training and a career as a result of this development," he said.

Valley on Anglesey is a key training site for the RAF and it is from the airbase that most of the airforce's Welsh operations are run, including search-and-rescue missions.

Valley is a key RAF training base

Brama already provides servicing facilities for the Hawk jets stationed at the airfield.

It is thought the firm will initially look to recruit locally, although the work is specialised - the company runs its own training facility at RAF Valley.

The announcement comes two months after plans to redevelop south Wales' RAF base at St Athan into an aviation centre of excellence were given the go-ahead, protecting more than 2,000 jobs.

The RAF issued the following statement on the development at its Valley base.

"Due to an increased requirement to train fast-jet pilots for the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, we have been examining a number of options to increase the trained output from RAF Valley.

'Technical jobs'

"We have agreed a significant increase in the contracted support provided to RAF Valley by our multi-activity contractor, Brown & Root and Marshall Aerospace (Brama).

"This increase in requirement is directly reflected in employment opportunities and we anticipate over 100 new jobs being created, the vast majority, about 90, new technically-oriented jobs to be recruited from the local community.

"Military personnel will fill the additional posts.

"The need for additional pilots for the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy is driven by the long-term requirement to maintain a coherent defence force for the United Kingdom.

"The more efficient use of our aircraft resources has driven the need for the increased support from Brama.

"The jobs that are being created further strengthens the excellent working relationship that exists between the RAF and Brama, our civilian contractors, and binds RAF Valley even more firmly into our local community."