Proposals over RAF base's future

A learning resource centre could come to RAF Cosford

The future of an RAF base which recently lost out on a £16bn training contract is being discussed.

Despite awarding the contract elsewhere last week Defence Secretary Des Browne promised RAF Cosford, in Shropshire, would not close.

Contract holders Metrix have been instructed to work up plans for a training and development centre and a skills academy to be built on the site.

Local government leaders are meeting on Tuesday to discuss the next steps.

Highly paid jobs

John Edwards, chief executive of Advantage West Midlands, the government's regional agency, said the Let's Fly Cosford Group, which fought for the contract to go to the Shropshire base, now had to convince the Ministry of Defence to bring highly paid jobs to Cosford.

"It's a vindication of the monumental efforts of the Let's Fly Cosford Group and its supporters that the Minister has asked Metric to work up further details for projects," he said.

"Our role will be finding out exactly what these plants entail and ensuring we have a key role in shaping the future of Cosford."

RAF St Athan in Wales was chosen for the contract ahead of Cosford.