Ipswich has been pledged a direct jobs benefit from the building of Sizewell C.

The nuclear power plant - which at peak will employ 7,900 people during construction - will take on 500 people from the town, it has said.

More than £45m worth of contracts have already been issued to Ipswich suppliers - part of £2bn which the scheme says it will spend with companies based in Suffolk.

Earlier this year, it announced a lease deal for Orwell Logistics Park in Ipswich for its logistics and freight management - one of the largest lettings transactions in the UK.

Now a new agreement signed by Ipswich MP Jack Abbott and Sizewell C joint managing director Julia Pyke has pledged the creation of 500 jobs for the town.

The project has already pledged that at least a third of its construction workforce - or 2,600 people - will come from East Anglia.

The latest commitment – one of a series – means people from Ipswich are guaranteed to benefit from thousands of career and development opportunities the huge construction project will create.

Sizewell C will work with the Department for Work and Pensions to run two community-focused jobs fairs a year. It is also sponsoring the Suffolk Future Skills Fair in 2024, 2025 and 2026.

The new nuclear project - which is already working with the University of Suffolk and Suffolk One - will also build on its work with Suffolk New College.

This includes expanding the college’s engineering, welding and fabrication courses, supporting the development of a Welding Centre of Excellence, scoping the development of an Electrical Engineering Centre of Excellence, and developing a Regional Construction Skills Roadshow.

Ms Pyke said they were working with "great" partners such as  Inspire and Project 21 to access the hardest-to-reach groups in the area.

“We’ve already pledged that around a third of our peak construction workforce will come from East Anglia – but by committing 500 of those jobs to Ipswich specifically, we can make absolutely sure that people here will benefit from the incredible opportunities that Sizewell C offers," she said.

Among the Ipswich firms already benefiting from Sizewell C contracts are Barnes Construction, Tru 7 Group and Brett Aggregates.

Mr Abbott said: “I am delighted to secure a new agreement with Sizewell C to guarantee 500 jobs and significant new investment for Ipswich.

“I have long said that the transition to net zero provides enormous opportunities for our town and our county if we are bold enough to take them. This is an example of ambitious leadership delivering for local people.

“Today’s agreement means hundreds of people across Ipswich will have the opportunity to train, retrain or upskill, with a view to gaining secure, well-paid, long-term employment.

“Not only does this agreement guarantee 500 on-site jobs at Sizewell C for Ipswich residents, but it also commits Sizewell C to hosting two job fairs every year in Ipswich, and provides an expanded partnership for our town’s colleges and University."