A COMPANY that has secured a multi-million-pound contract with the Ministry of Defence is remaining tight lipped about how many jobs will be created in Middlewich.

German truck maker MAN ERF, which has a base in Middlewich in ERF Way, has been chosen as the preferred bidder for the £1.1million contract to build a fleet of military trucks and vehicles for the British Army.

Commenting on the news Des Evans, of MAN ERF, said: "The whole company, together with our tight knit sub-contractor team, is looking forward to pursuing a true partnership with UK MoD to optimise the operational capability and cost benefits of MAN vehicles."

In May, it was reported in the Guardian that if the deal was secured it could lead to 600 jobs being created across the UK, including the Middlewich base. It would be an encouraging development for the Middlewich arm of the company, which saw wide-ranging job cuts at the ERF plant after German company MAN rescued it in 2000.

But the company has not yet confirmed whether any jobs will be created at all. The news was announced last Tuesday by Minister for Defence Procurement Lord William Bach.

He said: "I am delighted to announce the selection of MAN ERF as preferred bidder for this important contract.

"It will give our forces one of the most advanced support vehicle fleets in the world, creating hundreds of jobs across the country while ensuring the British taxpayer gets the best possible value for money."