Northwestern Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders has secured a 25-year contract worth £250 million, it has emerged.

The deal with the Ministry of Defence means Birkenhead will become an important base for Royal Navy ship maintenance, reports the Liverpool Daily Post.

Northwestern, soon to be renamed Cammell Laird, will be tasked with maintaining up to 12 Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships, which carry supplies around the globe.

In March, Northwestern secured a £28 million defence contract to overhaul Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Ford Rosalie, which is 30 years old.

Moreover, Northwestern was awarded preferred contractor status on a number of maintenance contracts for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, including the £20 million refurbishment of RFA Diligence last year.