THE Danish wind turbine firm that axed 427 workers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight earlier this year is to get £10m taxpayers’ cash, it has emerged.

Just months after closing its Isle of Wight factory and a sister facility in Southampton, Vestas has received a £3.5m handout from the Government and regional development agency Seeda.

That is on top of a £6m grant already given.

The money is to create a wind energy research and development centre (R&D) on the Isle of Wight.

Staff staged a sit-in at the Newport factory in July to try to prevent its closure, drawing international attention to the demise of Britain’s only substantial wind turbine factory.

Vestas still employs 160 people on the Island. By the time the new R&D centre opens in 2011, this figure is expected to grow to 200 people and ultimately to 400 over the following years.

The R&D centre is intended to strengthen a cluster of companies and expertise in cutting- edge composite materials now being developed on the Island.

Pam Alexander, Seeda chief executive, said: “This award is good news for the UK’s position in the offshore wind market and also for the Isle of Wight’s workforce and economy.

Vestas is a key employer offering high value jobs and we are keen to retain them at the heart of the Isle of Wight’s centre of excellence in advanced composite materials.

The R&D centre will be leading the development of new offshore wind technologies for the rest of the world.”

South East Regional Minister Jonathan Shaw, said: “It is opportune that this news comes as the eyes of the world are on Copenhagen and the climate change talks.

“We need to act to tackle climate change but let’s also be clear about the immediate benefits which will flow in terms of green jobs and a healthier, cleaner and quieter environment from a low carbon Britain and a low carbon world.

“With this award we will see immediate benefits in terms of the Isle of Wight economy, and, further afield, I am delighted the Vestas centre on the Island will be a beacon for the rest of the world to follow.”