Work begins on business centre at former HMS Daedalus base

The HMS Daedalus site in Lee-on-Solent operated until 1996

Work has begun on a new business venue at the Solent Enterprise Zone in Fareham.

The £5.3m Innovation Centre is being built on the site of the former Royal Naval Air Station HMS Daedalus.

In 2011, the former airfield, which was operational until 1996, was named as one of 24 locations for the government's new "enterprise zones", designed to boost economic growth.

Other plans for the site include runway improvements and new hangar space.

Fareham College is also to open its new Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Advanced Skills Training on the site.

Fareham Borough Council leader Sean Woodward, said: "I'm pleased to see work has started on the Innovation Centre.

"It will offer top-of-the-range support and facilities for new companies in engineering, aerospace, aviation and marine, and will also mean the creation of highly skilled local jobs.

"It's another exciting step in the delivery of the Solent Enterprise Zone at Daedalus."