Pembrokeshire's Conservative Assembly Members have welcomed the news that RWE nPower has got permission to build a power station at Pembroke. The gas-fired plant is expected to provide 100 full time jobs once it is up and running and to pump £10million into the local economy every year.

Up to 2,000 workers will be needed to build the plant and Npower has reassured the county's Assembly Members that they expect a "significant" number of local workers to be employed.

"I am delighted that this major project has got the go-ahead and that after I raised my concerns three weeks ago, RWE nPower told me they will seek to employ local workers where possible," said South Pembrokeshire AM Angela Burns.

"I am also pleased that the first priority of the company is to establish a local liaison committee which will ensure the support of local communities."

Her Preseli Pembrokeshire colleague Paul Davies added: "Angela and I will now be working to ensure that the section 106 contributions are spent by Pembrokeshire County Council for the benefit of the local communities."

Both Assembly Members met RWE nPower executives yesterday (Feb 4) to confirm that the company would use local labour in the building and operating of the plant.

"We were given assurances that there will not be a closed shop when it comes to working at the plant and that local labour will be able to apply for the jobs available," added Mrs Burns.