A DRIVE is being launched to get small Oxfordshire firms involved in a multi-million pound construction project.

A "Meet the Buyer" event is being staged this month to highlight work on offer at the new Joint Service Command and Staff College at Watchfield, which will train officers for the Army, Navy and Air Force.

International service company SERCo, which will maintain and service the new college, is offering dozens of contracts at the giant college including:

Waste management, electrical and building maintenance

Food and drink

Laundry equipment, and

Pest control.

SERCo project director Peter Williams said: "This event is an extremely useful way for us to get an idea of what suppliers are available locally.

"We are keen to find local suppliers and staff. I think it's important that local people benefit from this exciting new project.

"It is going to be a unique building offering an excellent working environment."

John Unwin, supply chain adviser for the Government's Regional Supply Office (South East), said: "We are targeting suppliers in the Vale of White Horse areas, including Oxfordshire and down to Swindon."

The college is now being built by Laing. It is scheduled for completion in August 2000.

The event on November 30 at the Sudbury House Hotel, Faringdon, is being organised by the RSO, Business link Heart of England, Vale of White Horse District council, SERCo, and John Laing Construction. For details, call Jim Unwin on 01295 258762.

Story date: Tuesday 16 November

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.