A THOUSAND jobs in Taunton jobs were saved this week in 2007 when the Government announced that the UK Hydrographic Office would be staying in the town.

The County Gazette reported 16 years ago that the UKHO was then now poised to inject millions into the sea chart maker, either rebuilding its factory in Admiralty Way or moving to new purpose-built premises at Firepool. As things turned out, the former option was chosen).

The decision was welcomed by workers who were faced with 18 months of uncertainty when the Ministry of Defence announced that it was considering relocating the service to Exeter.

Hundreds of County Gazette readers backed the ‘Save Our Hydro’ appeal and the then Taunton MP Jeremy Browne took the issue up in the House of Commons.

Following the stay-in-Taunton announcement, The UKHO’s chief executive Mike Robinson said staff were delighted with the decision, which removed months of uncertainty.

“Their decision was, as expected, extremely positive, both that the decision had been taken and that it is to remain in Taunton,” he said.

Mr Browne, who presented the County Gazette petition signed by readers to the Government, lobbied to keep the UKHO in Taunton.

“I’m absolutely thrilled it’s staying in Taunton,” he said.

“This has been my biggest campaign since being elected to Parliament.

"I was determined to do everything possible to keep the service in Taunton.”

The County Gazette editor-in-chief at the time, Ken Bird, said: “We are delighted that the Government has seen sense.

“We’re grateful to everyone who backed our campaign and to Jeremy Browne, who worked particularly hard to secure the UKHO for Taunton."

Derek Twigg, Under Secretary of State for Defence, wrote exclusively for the County Gazette of the possible future plans at the UKHO.

But a cautionary note has been sounded by the Conservative spokesman for Taunton, Mark Formosa, who warned that they could mean privatisation and the possible loss of jobs.