NORTH-EAST industrial captains were last night mobilising their efforts to ensure thousands of shipbuilding jobs come to the region.

They were reacting to a Government announcement that the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy are to get a force of the world's most advanced supersonic jump jets to equip both the new class of two aircraft carriers and to fly from shore bases.

The news opens the way for BAE and French firm Thales to draw up blueprints for two massive aircraft carriers as they prepare to bid against each other for the contract.

Japp Kroese, chairman of Tyneside's Swan Hunter which says it is in a strong position to build parts of the massive hulls, said last night: "This is brilliant news for the region. The type of aircraft they use does not make any difference to us.

"What is important is that it is virtually impossible to go back now and cancel the aircraft carriers. You have to have something to land on and take off from."

Mr Kroese said Swan Hunter, which would be a catalyst for attracting the jobs, would get enough work to employ 2,500 people over the next eight years, with the firm's Teesside site acting as a support yard. Mr Kroese said Swan Hunter had reached an agreement with BAE systems to carry out from 30 to 50 per cent of the work.

Swan Hunter does not have an agreement with Thales, But Thales has said up to 40 per cent of the work could come to the region, he added.

Other companies which could benefit include KYE Engineering, of Middlesbrough, Heerema, of Hartlepool, and Darlington's Cleveland Bridge.

One NorthEast's head of business development George Cowcher said there was potential for up to 6,000 jobs to be created or safeguarded in the region.

He said: "We are not setting out to be portrayed as going out with a begging bowl. This is all about the fact that the North-East has a vibrant, thriving maritime sector.

"We have got to show a united front on both the Tees and Tyne. There is enough work there for everybody."

Announcing the force of up to 150 Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) versions of the Lockheed Martin F35s, Lord Bach said last night: "This is a critically important decision.

"We have chosen this variant, which is the bone being bought by the US Marine Corps, because it fully meets our military needs - and it builds on Britain's unique and valuable knowledge of STOVL aircraft acquired during nearly four decades.

"We have also made a key decision on the design of the carriers. These ships must have maximum flexibility to meet our defence needs throughout their service lives of up to 50 years.

"That is why we've decided they will be built to an innovative adaptable plan so that they will operate STOVL F35 aircraft, but can be modified to fly the generation of aircraft - even beyond the F35, whether or not these too are STOVL.

"This represents a sensible way to maximise the benefits of our investment in the carriers, and is good long-term value for money."