AN AVIATION company has been given a huge tax break to encourage it to stay in Hampshire.

Britten-Norman has extensive facilities at the new Solent Enterprize Zone at Daedalus, near Lee-on-the-Solent.

Fareham Borough Council and Gosport Borough Council have now announced they will grant the company business rate relief worth almost £83,000.

Firms setting up in the zone can apply for reductions in business rates of up to £275,000 over five years.

It is hoped the initiative will create 3,500 jobs by 2026, with marine, aerospace and aviation companies top of the list for moving into the former Royal Navy air station.

Leader of Gosport council Mark Hook said: “I’m delighted to see that businesses in the Enterprise Zone are now benefitting from the new business rate relief made available.”