A huge order for 20 new military jets has been awarded to Britain's biggest defence manufacturer, safeguarding hundreds of skilled jobs.
The Ministry of Defence said that subject to the successful completion of negotiations, BAE Systems will build the new Hawk trainer jets at an initial cost of £800 million.
Workers at the company's factory in Brough, East Yorkshire, expressed huge relief at the announcement which ended months of uncertainty.
The Treasury was believed to be pressing the MoD to consider putting the order out to tender which would have led to the immediate loss of 500 jobs.