Leaders of Telford and Wrekin Council have urged the government to build its new Logistics Centre of Excellence and Defence Gateway in Shropshire.

Council leader Kuldip Sahota and managing director Richard Partington have sent a joint letter to the Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude, in which they highlighted the benefits of siting the building on land adjacent to the current MOD (Ministry of Defence) Donnington.

They suggested that the land needed for the logistics facility would be free and it would benefit from the fully-serviced Telford International Railfreight Park, which is operated by DB Schenker Group.

Importantly, the council has also guaranteed that work to build the complex can start in 2013 - something that the government is reportedly keen on.

"We believe that Telford is the better choice for the MOD and the government as we will provide land at no cost to build a Logistics Centre of Excellence," Mr Sahota remarked.

Last July, minister for defence equipment, support and technology Peter Luff confirmed that the UK's Logistic Commodities and Services section would undergo a significant overhaul.