The £28 million contract to build Dawlish's rail tunnel extension has been awarded to a company which says the project will deliver new job opportunities and apprenticeships.

Morgan Sindall plans to start work on the 209-metre rockfall shelter north of Parsons Tunnel, between Dawlish and Holcombe, in August.

The company says it will carry out the work in a way that will minimise the risk of weather-related disruption, and reduce the impact on train services.

The open-sided shelter will be constructed from a series of six-metre modular pre-cast concrete sections.

Network Rail says the award of the contract will be good news for businesses in Devon, with an agreement for money to be spent locally, working closely with the local supply chain.

The company says the long-term opportunities created by the project will be worth £10 million to the local economy, and will build upon the £10 million expected to be spent with local businesses during the construction of the second section of new sea wall at Dawlish, which began last November.

Chris Pearce, Network Rail's Western route interim director, said: "We are delighted to have awarded Morgan Sindall Infrastructure the contract to construct this important rockfall shelter that will play a vital role in helping protect the railway from falling rocks for generations to come.

"This is our latest phase of work to increase the resilience of this integral stretch of railway as part of our South West Rail Resilience Programme. In every phase of work we have ensured our activities are also benefitting the local economy and I am pleased that this latest contract award will continue to support that commitment."

Peter Kirk, managing director of Morgan Sindall Infrastructure's rail business unit, said: "We are excited to be working with Network Rail on their South West Rail Resilience Programme, and continuing to build on our long-standing partnership.

"Parsons Tunnel North Portal is an incredibly complex project and we are extremely pleased to bring a number of innovations to this project, helping to ensure the resilience of the railway line for the local community and those travelling to and from the area."

For more information about the rockfall shelter plans, click here.