COMMERCIAL fit-out specialist Office Visions has clinched a contract worth almost £500,000 to furnish boardrooms, meeting rooms, work stations and conference facilities at Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA) at St Athan.

The agency is the main body responsible for servicing all the RAF's jets.

Office Visions is run by Newport-born businessman Simon Gambarini and his new contract is based on a 440-seat office area in a new "super hangar".

Office Visions was awarded the contract after tendering alongside a number of national and regional competitors.

Simon Gambarini said: "We were able to provide an innovative design, coupled with a competitive quote, which means a local South Wales company was able to compete with the best.

"We're delighted that DARA has recognised that a local specialist company has the credentials and ability to satisfy its demands."

Dara's new St Athan facility is the cornerstone upon which the Welsh Development Agency hopes to create at an aerospace centre.

But political battles within Whitehall and the armed forces have thrown up a number of question marks about the project's long-term viability.

Andy Hamilton, programme director for DARA, said: "We have invested in a modern and efficient maintenance facility designed to be flexible and accommodate future requirements in a cost-effective way.

"We were impressed with the solutions put forward by Office Visions and we now have an environment which equips our workforce for the challenges that lie ahead."