A consortium which includes Belfast shipyard Harland & Wolff has been awarded a key contract from the Ministry of Defence.

Four consortia were handed contracts to develop bids to build three new Fleet Solid Support ships for the Royal Navy.

The initial £5 million contracts deliver on the UK Government's promise to progress the design and build of the FSS ships to support the Royal Navy's Carrier Task Groups. The final manufacture contract will be awarded to a UK company acting either solely or as part of a consortium.

Harland & Wolff forms part of Team Resolute, which also includes UK firm BMT.

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Welcoming the news with industry leaders at a CPP kick-off event, Defence Secretary and Shipbuilding Tsar Ben Wallace said: "I am proud to see UK companies stepping up to the challenge of the Fleet Solid Support competition as we begin the next chapter of this British shipbuilding success story.

"I wish all the competitors well as we work towards realising a programme which will deliver ships essential for the UK's security as well as vital jobs and skills."

UUP MLA Andy Allen MBE also threw his support behind the contract success for local company Harland & Wolff.

"I'm very pleased to hear of the MoD's announcement of contracts for four UK-based consortia to develop bids to build three new ships for the Royal Navy which will support our new Carrier Task Groups including HMS Queen Elizabeth II," added Allen MBE.

"Harland & Wolff is part of Team Resolute and I wish them all the best in developing their bid and know that H&W's unapparelled shipbuilding heritage will be an essential part of the consortium's success."