CLOSE on 200 staff employed by Bromsgrove District Council are celebrating this week after learning their jobs are safe -- at least for the next ten years.

News of a successful in-house bid to continue to carry out a full range of depot services, including refuse collection, housing repairs and grass cutting, ended months of speculation that jobs might go if the contract had been won by an outside company.

The council's bid beat two other rivals for the work, which under the Government's Best Value scheme has to be put out to tender.

Depot services are the most expensive and were the first to go out to tender. Others will follow.

Council leader Nick Psirides (Con, Norton) said: "I am delighted, but not at all surprised that our own bid proved to be the best.

"We have a dedicated workforce who deserve to win the bid.

"Tenders were sought following the council's drive for best value to improve the efficiency of the depot.

"We have always done our best to provide an excellent service and I am glad that our own people will be able to continue to do so."

Labour group leader Cllr Peter McDonald (Uffdown and Waseley) said he, too, was delighted.

But he added: "The previous seven-year contract was cut when halfway through. Hopefully, now the council will honour this contract for its full ten-year duration."