THE Duke of York launched a major jobs boost in Newport by cutting turf at the site of a £35 million expansion project yesterday.

Prince Andrew was the guest of honour at a ceremony to mark the growth of EADS Defence and Security Systems .

Yesterday, with the turn of a spade, the royal visitor started work on two new office buildings at the company's Quadrant House base, which will house 100 new staff.

Director Mike Greenway said: "The Duke of York was pleased with the impact the expansion will have because he's interested in investments in this region.

"He was very impressed with the plans and the new jobs it will deliver. "He was fascinated by all the communication modelling we do here. He is particularly interested because of his Royal Navy career."

The building work is expected to be completed by late next year and the new jobs will bring the firm's workforce to 500.

The firm has almost doubled in sized in the last two years as a result of securing new contracts with government departments.

EADS, formerly known as Cogent, produces high-tech communications and security systems for departments such as the Ministry of Defence. The company helps develop missile and battlefield management systems and is bidding for new contracts including a communication system that will be used by fire services.

The new jobs in Newport will be mainly in engineering and computing positions.

EADS was awarded a £2 million Assembly grant in 2003 which has already helped the business create 200 jobs over the last two years. The company said it could expand its Newport site further over the next five years and build three more buildings in line with its predicted growth of 25 per cent.

EADS Defence and Security Systems Limited is the UK operating company of EADS, which generated revenue of around £20 billion in 2005 and employs 113,000 across the world.