"We Must Ensure that Jodrell Bank is Here to Stay, not Just for the Short Term" - John Leech MP

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 11th Jul 2008

The Science and Technology Funding Council (STFC) has pledged to find partners to secure the medium-term future of the telescopes

John Leech, Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington, is delighted that moves to secure the future of the world famous observatory in Cheshire are under way.

The Science and Technology Funding Council (STFC), which earlier this year proposed to cut its annual £2.5 million funding for Jodrell Bank's leading participation in the eMerlin project, has pledged to find partners to secure the medium-term future of the telescopes.

John Leech MP sponsored a Parliamentary Motion backing the observatory in March of this year.

"I welcome the Science and Technology Funding Council's recent announcement as it removes the immediate threat from the observatory," John Leech MP said.

"But it is important we discuss the long term future of Jodrell Bank and ensure that it is here to stay."

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