THREE Royal Navy ships are to be serviced in the North-East over the next decade as part of a £150m defence contract.

Two dry docks in Middlesbrough owned by UK Docks were key to the company winning the huge order which will safeguard well over 100 jobs and create dozens more.

The company will maintain HMS Protector, HMS Enterprise and HMS Echo - three ships which play a vital part in the Royal Navy’s supply chain.

The vessels are all 90 metres long - roughly the length of a football pitch - and bosses say the Teesside Docks are best suited to service them.

UK Docks began life in a small boatyard on the Tyne little more than 20 years ago and has grown to become an international organisation operating around the globe.

The new contract will also benefit many other firms and jobs in the company’s marine-related supply chain as repairs and maintenance are carried out.

Jonathan Wilson, UK Docks director, said: “We will be managing, coordinating and planning all maintenance activity from our facilities on Tyneside, but noting our dry docks on Teesside have the capacity to service all three vessels, whenever it is possible, the servicing work on them will be carried out there.

“Winning this contract is fantastic news for UK Docks - the successful conclusion of months of hard work put into the bidding process - and it takes us to another level.

“It’s an exciting time - a great opportunity and responsibility we have been given by the Ministry of Defence - and we will rise to all expectations.

“We are very proud of our North-East origins and it is great to see these contracts being serviced for the country by a company based in the region."

The UK Docks' contract forms part of a wider £1bn deal that will secure hundreds of jobs at shipyards right across the country, announced by Defence Minister Stuart Andrew.

The deal covers 17 ships and will improve how spares, repairs and maintenance work are carried out.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “It is about time government started handing these massive contracts to Teesside firms. We have the skills, expertise and industry know-how to get the job done and do it right, and I’m pleased the Ministry of Defence recognises just how good we are up here.

“In an increasingly unpredictable and hostile global environment, it’s more important than ever we invest in our Navy to protect British interests across the globe. I’m sure this will be an even easier job now we have Teessiders maintaining and servicing a naval fleet fit for the future.”