THE Nelson-based Sovereign Group has clinched a £4.5million contract that will help to secure the jobs of its 160 workers over the next three years.

The window manufacturer has signed the major deal with the English Churches Housing Group, one of the country's leading housing associations.

The contract marks the end of a big turn-around in the company's fortunes from the late 1990s when it was on the verge of going out of business. It was bought by it major supplier, the Burnley-based VEKA Group, in 1998 and was then sold to its management team in January last year.

Sovereign managing director Glenn Taylor said the contract was a welcome boost to the group and its work-force, which included more than 100 people based at its Vale Street factory and head office.

The deal represents more than 10 per cent of the company's current total output and will run for a full three years. Said Mr Taylor: "The contract is the first of its kind to be signed by either body and follows a Government-backed initiative aimed to revolutionise working practices in the construction industry.

"It involves working on a basis of long-term partnership and openness to improve efficiency and understanding."

Peter Walters, chief executive of the English Churches Housing Group, is also pleased with the long-term agreement. "We have over 12,000 properties and it is vital, for all our residents, that we ensure a high standard of refurbishment at reasonable cost," he said. "I am delighted that this new contract with Sovereign gives us both."

Sovereign operates in two divisions: Sovereign Commercial, the large contract division, and Sovereigndirect (www.sovereigndirect. co.uk) which allows homeowners to choose doors, windows and conservatories via the internet.