A Workington engineering firm has been awarded a £30m contract with Sellafield, in a move that is expected to create or sustain about 200 jobs at the firm.

TSP Engineering will be producing transport containers for Sellafield's decommissioning programme.

The transport containers will be 50 tonnes and lead-lined, and will transfer nuclear waste from the legacy Magnox Swarf Storage Silo to newly-built storage facilities on the Sellafield site.

Sellafield has said the contract underlines the commitment of Sellafield Ltd and its owner the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) to investing in local supply chains.

The TSP Engineering workforce is now expected to grow to in excess of 250 people.

John Coughlan, chief executive officer of TSP Engineering, said: "This is great news for TSP Engineering, our workforce, supply chain and the local economy.

"Sellafield placing this order highlights the confidence our nuclear customers have in our proven ability to deliver the most technical and complex solutions within budget and programme plan.

"It is a significant step towards our ambition to further grow in the nuclear industry and highlights the calibre and skill of our award-winning workforce."

Martin Chown, chief executive officer of Sellafield Ltd, said: "Creating a clean and safe environment is essential in all that we do at Sellafield. These packages help us achieve this.

"I was delighted to see a local business win this contract, which will lead to job creation and opportunities for West Cumbria.

"TSP Engineering is a world-class company. Its success in winning this contract proves our nuclear supply chain can compete with the best in the world."

Henri Murison, director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: "This is tremendous news for West Cumbria and the north’s economy as a whole.

"Manufacturers like TSP are crucial to developing a strong and resilient economy to underpin the ambitions of the Northern Powerhouse.

"I’m delighted to see Sellafield Ltd investing in its local supply chain to create jobs, growth, and opportunity."

TSP Engineering has for man years manufactured products for Sellafield.

Under a previous contract, the firm produced one new and nine refurbished packages for the Magnox Swarf Storage Silo programme.

The new contract is expected to run for several years and will complete the fleet of packages needed to empty the silo, which is one of the NDA’s highest priority programmes.