InfraStrata has acquired the Appledore shipyard in North Devon.

Unite the union welcomed the announcement and said it is "great news for Appledore and the local community".

The union has been working with the local community since Spring last year to get the yard re-opened after the previous owners Babcock ceased production, ending over 100 years of shipbuilding. Since then the yard has been dormant.

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Most of the highly skilled workforce were transferred to Babcock's facility in Plymouth and many of these workers could potentially be interested in returning to work at Appledore.

Unite regional officer Healthcliffe Pettifer, said:m "Unite has consistently argued that the Appledore shipyard was viable and its closure was due to a lack of political will and a failure of economic planning.

"It is now essential that work resumes at the shipyard at the earliest possible opportunity. This will give a huge boost to Appledore and the local community.

"Unite will now be seeking urgent meetings with the yard's new owners to fully understand their plans for its future and to encourage the re-engagement of the dedicated workers who previously worked there."