Thousands of jobs in Taunton have been saved in a campaign by the Somerset County Gazette.

When the Government announced it was considering moving the UK Hydrographic Office from Taunton to Exeter 18 months ago, the Newsquest title teamed up with local LibDem MP Jeremy Browne for the Save Our Hydro campaign. The UKHO makes sea charts and is the behind the well-known Admiralty brand.

The Government has now revealed that the agency, which employs around 1,000 people and is Taunton’s second largest employer, is to stay in Taunton.

Hundreds of readers backed the campaign and the MP took up the issue in the House of Commons and presented a petition signed by County Gazette readers.

County Gazette editor-in-chief Ken Bird said: "We were delighted that the Government saw sense.

"We could see no reason for moving the UKHO to Exeter. It is an outstanding service and the staff have ensured it is the world leader in its field.

"It would neither make economic sense nor was it any way to reward the hard work and skills of a talented workforce.

"We are grateful to everyone who backed our campaign and to Jeremy Brown, who has worked hard to help secure the UKHO for Taunton."

He wrote: "I realise that there has been concern about a potential move to Exeter and the County Gazette’s Save Our Hydro campaign reflected those worries."