A south Wales MP is to ask the government to give an early decision on plans to develop RAF St Athan as an aerospace centre of excellence.

John Smith, who represents the Vale of Glamorgan, says around 2,500 jobs are at stake.

John Smith MP: Keen for decision

In March, UK Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram announced the Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA) and the Welsh Development Agency (WDA) will work in partnership to develop the base.

But, three months later, the move is still awaiting the final green light.

On Tuesday, Mr Smith will meet Mr Ingram to ask him to approve the go-ahead.

Under the plans, repair work and aircraft servicing will be consolidated into one super-hangar at the base.

It should protect the jobs of 2,500 people who work for DARA there.

The project should also free up land to allow the WDA to develop a centre of aerospace excellence on the site.

Most of the RAF's operations in Wales are based on Anglesey

Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy said the move would ensure the long-term future of RAF St Athan and boost the local economy.

St Athan is currently a training and research base for the RAF.

But its long-term future has been in doubt.

Most of the RAF's Welsh operations including search and rescue are at Valley in Anglesey, north Wales.

It was also confirmed in March that the Welsh Guards will be based at St Athan from May 2003.

The move means they will be stationed in Wales for the first time in their history.

Regimental manoeuvres

The relocation of the 600-strong army personnel from the its current base will also help secure the future of the St Athan facility.

The move has been made possible because a barracks in Londonderry, Northern Ireland - which the regiment was due to be posted to - is to close following the 1998 peace agreement.

The Welsh Guards were formed during some of the worst battles of the First World War - on February 28, 1915.

Since then, they have taken part in most of the major engagements of the British army - including the Falklands conflict 20 years ago.

They have also conducted several tours of duty in Northern Ireland.

Until now, the regimental HQ has been at the Wellington Barracks in London with two small recruiting teams in Cardiff and Rhyl, north Wales.