Union leaders have told the UK Government it is vital that a multi-million pound Ministry of Defence order is placed with a shipyard on the River Clyde.

The message was delivered by a delegation of trades union leaders who met with Defence Minister Baroness Symons on Tuesday.

The group had travelled to Westminster to lobby the MoD for the contract to build six roll-on, roll-off ferries. A decision is due to be announced in July.

Union chiefs believe the contract should go to the Yarrow and Govan yards on the Clyde, helping to secure 1,000 jobs and the long-term future of shipbuilding in the area.

The latter was bought last year by BAE Systems after prolonged negotiations with the Norwegian conglomerate Kvaerner.

Despite the sale, it was recognised that work was limited and new contracts would have to be found.

'Won survival of yard'

Confederation of Shipbuilding Unions spokesman Danny Carrigan said: "We have won the survival of the yard, what we need is work for the long term.

"We have work for a year, after that there is none. This is a vital order for the Clyde."

His call was echoed at a special House of Commons debate, led by Govan Labour MP Mohammed Sarwar.

But Scotland Office Minister Brian Wilson reiterated that the Ministry of Defence operated a level playing field.

"The roll-on, roll-off ferry contract will be determined in accordance with the clear rules that the MoD operates in this size of tender and it's only right that it is so," he said.

"But I do know that the MoD will give careful consideration to every aspect of the bids that have been made."

'Best testament'

He added: "Perhaps the work that Govan is doing currently on the second auxiliary oiler will be the best testament to their ability to deliver the roll-on, roll-off ferries.

"I am sure Clyde yards will figure prominently on the other contracts that are in the pipeline for the Ministry of Defence - coastal survey vessels, alternative landing support logistics, Type 45 destroyers and the future aircraft carrier."

Mr Wilson said that the government was currently implementing 40 recommendations by the Shipbuilding Forum.