A £1 billion contract to refurbish the Rolls-Royce plant in Derby to build reactors for the next generation of nuclear submarines has been announced by Defence Secretary Philip Hammond.

The deal is part of plans to replace the Vangard fleet, which carries the Trident nuclear deterrent. The Tories are going to press ahead with the project, even if the Lib-Dems are not happy.

A growing number of countries have nuclear weapons, so Trident is essential to our future safety. People will say this is a lot of money to spend on new nuclear subs, but over the lifespan of the Vangard subs it is peanuts and well worth it.

Tom Mitchell, Mendip Close, Huntington.