Southampton-based Vosper Thornycroft is celebrating two new lucrative deals which will see a major extension of its support services and a prestigious contract to refit the helicopter carrier, HMS Ocean.

This comes at a confident time for VT, which has just clinched a huge slice of the multi-billion-pound government project to build the country's next generation of warship, the Type 45 destroyer.

At the same time, work gathers pace on the world's biggest single masted yacht at the company's Woolston yard.

In a joint venture with the University of Wales, known as VT Ocean Sciences, VT is to operate a new research vessel, the Dutch-built Prince Madog.

George Cameron, VT's international services manager, said: "Support services now contribute half of VT's turnover and profits.

"VT Ocean Sciences is an example of how we can apply our management and commercial expertise to the public sector.''

Work will begin at VT subsidiary, Fleet Support in Portsmouth, in January on the dry docking of HMS Ocean, which is seen regularly alongside the Marchwood Military Port on Southampton Water.

The four-month programme of work, including refurbishing the side ramp, hull modifications, blasting and painting and fitting new equipment, will employ more than 200 men during the peak period of the contract.

FSL's managing director, Peter McIntosh, said: "The combination of naval and commercial bookings means that we are already busy for next winter.

"It was satisfying to win this work in open competition and we now have the opportunity to show that we can provide an efficient service to one of the newest vessels in the fleet.''

VT is a leading defence and civil contractor focusing on technical and other related support services, shipbuilding and marine products.