National Property, Manufacturing Jon Robinson

Credit - Talgo

A group of towns and cities across England, Wales and Scotland have been shortlisted by a Spanish train manufacturer to be the location of a new factory which could create 1,000 jobs.

Talgo has earmarked Leeds, St Helens, Chesterfield, Welsh port town Mostyn in Flintshire and Hunterston and Longannet in Fife in Scotland.

A decision is set to be made next month by the company which specialises in the design, manufacture and servicing of fast lightweight trains.

Its trains currently operate across 28 countries including Germany, the US and Saudi Arabia. The company is also on the list to manufacture trains for HS2.

If the Chesterfield bid is successful the former Hartington Colliery site, between Staveley and Barrow Hill, would become home to the factory.

Chesterfield Borough Council has been working with a range of partners, includig landowners Suon on the bid to encourage Talgo to locate the factory in the borough.

Leader Clor Tricia Gilby said: "This is a once in a generation opportunity and if our bid is successful it would be a massive boost to our economy in terms of employment opportunities for local people.

"Talgo’s commitment to a ‘true manufacturing’ approach would also create more opportunities for local businesses to supply components as part of the supply chain, which would help create more jobs and increase the positive impact on our economy.

"Talgo is a major player in the worldwide rail sector and one of the companies that HS2 has shortlisted to provide it with the high speed trains needed for the new rail network.

"It is important to stress that we are only one of six shortlisted locations at the moment."

If successful, building work would start in July 2020, ready for the train factory to open in December 2021.