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'Happiness and relief' over new helicopter deal

Kelly Withers,Somersetand
Charlie Taylor,BBC Radio Somerset
News imageBBC Carole Champion is standing in a factory. She is wearing a black t-shirt and a black and orange jacket. In the background there are sewing machines on workbenches. BBC
Carole Champion is CEO of a company which supplies textiles to the aerospace industry

The CEO of a company which supplies a defence firm says she is "ecstatic and really, really happy" it has secured a new £1bn government contract to build military helicopters.

Leonardo Helicopters will build 23 new medium helicopters (NMH) for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) at its site in Yeovil, Somerset.

Carole Champion, from Needles and Pins Aerospace in Somerton which supplies textiles to the aerospace industry, said the deal provided "great confidence" and "security to increase our staff".

The contract has also been welcomed by Yeovil Town Council leader Andy Soughton who said: "It's fantastic news for Yeovil, and fantastic news for the employees and the supply chain."

MOD confirms £1billion helicopter contract for Yeovil

Yeovil's Liberal Democrat MP Adam Dance said the Leonardo site contributes £320m to the local economy.

"This decision protects more than 3,000 highly-skilled jobs in Yeovil and supports thousands more in the supply chain."

Champion added: "Leonardo was our first client so it's lovely to see that they're awarded this massive contract.

"It gives us security to increase our staff and to increase our apprenticeships as well," she added.

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News imageMark Bolton is smiling at the camera. He is a wearing a suit and tie. His suit is blue and he is wearing a lilac coloured shirt. He also has a blue lanyard. He is standing in front of a hedge and trees.
Mark Bolton, the principal of Yeovil College, said the deal would provide "clarity"

Leonardo Helicopters works with Yeovil College to develop engineering skills, apprenticeships and regional aerospace careers. The defence firm also gives about £1.3m a year to the college.

Principal Mark Bolton said the deal provides "clarity."

"Our histories are intertwined, and I suppose our good fortunes and futures are also intertwined so it is critical to the college," he added.

News imageA road sign reading 'welcome to Yeovil' with a further sign lower down which is partly attached and slightly hanging off reading 'Home of British Helicopters'
A decision on the contract had been expected in the autumn but was delayed by the government

The Yeovil factory previously built planes used in World War One under the name Westland.

In the 1950s, it switched to making helicopters and more recently has specialised in Merlin and Wildcat helicopters.

A decision on the NMH contract had been due in the autumn, but it was delayed by the government.

The Westlands entertainment venue in Yeovil also has close ties to the defence firm.

Yeovil Town Council director of culture Adam Burgan said: "It was Westlands leisure complex and was the old social club for Westlands helicopters.

"They own the site and they continue to support the venue.

"It's a bit like one of those Welsh mining towns. Everything is built around the factory and every family has a connection.

Burgan added: "I think we have all taken a collective sigh of relief."

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