ONE of the UK's biggest civilian engineering companies has landed a lucrative £25million deal to build part of the £1bn tidal lagoon in Swansea Bay.

Llanfoist-based Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd scooped the prize to produce the ambitious project's breakwater surface together with other roads and slipways.

A delighted Martyn Evans, the company's executive director, said this week, "This is a major contract for our business.

"The lagoon will be an iconic piece of infrastructure for Wales."

News of the substantial feather in the firm's cap broke on Monday.

It came hot on the heels of the announcement that St Mellons-based Laing O'Rourke bagged a £200million package to deliver the lagoon's 410-metre turbine house and sluice block in the first stage of building work.

A fixed price contract is expected to be wrapped up later this year for the main build of the enterprise.

Roger Evans, chairman of the Tidal Lagoon Industry Advisory Group, was thrilled to have Abergavenny businessman Alun Griffiths and his team on board.

He said, "The appointment of Alun Griffiths is a reflection of the developer's commitment to ensuring that the Wales supply chain is fully able and prepared to realise the economic benefits of this game-changing development."

And he added, "Further works packages will be tendered over the coming months.

"We are encouraged that the other tier one contractors announced so far are being proactive in their engagement with Welsh industry giving us the opportunity to harness the power of this major £1bn investment in Wales.

A spokesman for the project told the Chronicle, "Alun Griffiths has done very well to win this prestigious contract."