PLANS to build a state-of-the-art military training centre in Bicester were revealed by the Ministry of Defence yesterday.

The proposals would see thousands of personnel from all three armed forces, as well as police officers, learning bomb disposal and search techniques at St George's Barracks near Ambrosden.

Government minister Derek Twigg announced the Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal School (DEODS) and the National Search Centre (NSC) would be moved to Bicester from Kent.

The two units had originally been earmarked for the Defence Munitions Centre in Warwickshire until the plan was dropped in 2005.

Mr Twigg said the relocation formed part of The Royal School of Military Engineering Public Private Partnership project.

He said: "In 2006, alternative sites, that were technically viable, were identified and costed by the contractor. These proposals have since been assessed by the MoD and following the conclusion of this work the MoD can confirm its intent to relocate the DEODS and NSC to Bicester."

The move means the site in Kent can be sold for large-scale housing development.

An MoD spokesman said the move was not expected before 2011 and added it reinforced the MoD's commitment to the Bicester area.

She said: "DEODS trains approximately 550 military students annually, of whom ten per cent are from overseas. Courses vary in length from three days to seven weeks. The NSC trains approximately 7,000 students a year, of whom almost 2,000 are from UK police forces.

"It delivers over 200 courses each year varying in length from days to two weeks."

She added it would teach students how to search for weapons, armaments and people in different locations.

And she said: "A number of buildings at St George's Barracks will be refurbished to provide living accommodation and training facilities for the two schools.

"There will also be some new construction to ensure sufficient accommodation will be in place for the students and staff and to create state-of-the-art training facilities."

Although the MoD said it was too early to say how much the plans would cost, it added they represented a "considerable investment". Bicester MP Tony Baldry welcomed the announcement.

He said: "This is excellent news. It is increasingly clear that Bicester is under-utilised by the MoD.

"The services it offers, especially around defence logistics, are outstanding, but there is clearly more the base can offer to our armed services.

"I have for some time called on Bicester to become a one-stop shop for the MoD, and this move to locate key training services in the town is a significant step in this direction.

"The announcement is excellent news for Bicester, with the MoD able to train and showcase its abilities in the town."