New future for historic air base

It is hoped the Western hangar will be renovated later in the year

Pembroke Dock's historic aircraft hangars that were once home to the famous Sunderland flying boats are to get a new lease of life.

Work has started on a £900,000 restoration of the landmark Eastern hangar at the former Royal Dockyard.

The Sunderlands and other flying boats based there played a crucial and dangerous role in protecting supply convoys during World War II.

The Grade Two listed structure is to become a unit for boat building and other large scale manufacturing uses.

The hangars are the only ones of their kind in the UK Andy Peters

The dockyard was used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) from 1930 as a base for flying boats.

At the outbreak of WWII, three squadrons were stationed there and by 1943 there were 99 flying boats of various sorts on site.

The Sunderlands were apparently nicknamed 'flying porcupines' by the Germans because of their strong defences.

The last of the famous planes left RAF Pembroke Dock in 1957 and the was site eventually sold off.

It is now managed by the Milford Haven Port Authority.

Work has just begun on the renovation which has received grant funding from several organisations including European Objective One money and the Welsh monuments agency Cadw.

The Sunderlands were based at Pembroke Dock for 20 years

Swansea-based Dawnus Construction will repair the steel frame, concrete pillars and provided a new slate roof.

Andy Peters, who is in charge of the project, said: "The hangars are the only ones of their kind in the UK.

"They're an important part of Pembroke Dock's heritage - the Sunderlands even appear on the signs that welcome you to Pembroke Dock."

The port authority's commercial arm, the Milford Docks Company, plans to carry out similar work on the nearby Western hangar later in the year.

Company spokesman Andrew Brown said: "We fully understand the historic importance of these magnificent structures and we are keen to ensure that they are preserved.

"As well as a historic value, the benefit to local businesses in retaining the hangars is very important, particularly with the huge undercover area they are both able to offer."