Work on a multi-million pound aerospace facility in Yeovil has officially begun.

The iAero Centre, a joint project between Somerset County Council and the region's aerospace industry, but primarily Leonardo Helicopters, Tods Aerospace and the West of England Aerospace Forum, will help the town remain at the heart of the industry's latest technological, engineering and manufacturing innovations, it is hoped.

The Bunford Lane facility is anticipated to provide Yeovil with a high value research, design and innovation centre and ensure the survival of the town's aerospace industry.

The centre will cost an estimated £8.7m to build, with more than £3m of funding coming from the EU's regional development fund, and is expected to be finished by early 2020.

A spokesman for the Yeovil Chamber of Trade and Commerce said: "This significant and very visible project taking shape at the Western gateway to Yeovil represents a further £10m investment stake in the economic growth of Yeovil. 

"Yeovil Chamber is working with the project stakeholders to create tenancy and work opportunities for our members and the local aerospace and technology sector."

Dr Julie Wooler, economic development and strategic development officer at Somerset County Council, said the centre was essential in ensuring that Somerset remained a competitive location for the aerospace industry.

She said: "Somerset hosts a quarter of the south west's overall employment in aerospace supply chain businesses.

"Retaining and growing this sector in Somerset is crucial to our future economic prospects.

"The aerospace supply chain is global in nature and significantly Leonardo Helicopters is a foreign-owned business.

"Therefore, it is essential that Somerset remains an attractive location for this activity, and those local supply chain businesses remain competitive in the future and adapt to changing market needs."

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