THE ministry of defence has named its preferred bidder for a £4bn contract to provide modern living accommodation for about 18,000 soldiers and their families, including those who live in the garrisons on Salisbury Plain.

Bulford, Tidworth, ludgershall, Netheravon and Larkhill are all set to be transformed by the massive rebuilding and refurbishment programme, codenamed Project Allenby.

As well as improving army barracks, the Allenby spend will include a range of new leisure facilities and administrative buildings worth £1bn.

The contract is expected to go to preferred bidder Aspire Defence - a joint venture between two companies, Kellogg Brown & Root and Mowlem plc.

When building is complete, Aspire Defence will also be responsible for delivering services to the new estates - everything from caterers to cleaners and internal transport.

The MoD is entrusting to the eventual winner of the contract the task of managing the transition between employers for thousands of civilian staff who work in army barracks.

Project Allenby will also take in major building works in Warminster, Perham Down and Aldershot.

The whole package could take as long as 30 years to deliver in full.

Chairman of Aspire Defence Arthur Moore said: "Aspire is delighted to be working with the MoD to improve the quality of life for soldiers and their families, while upgrading the army's facilities."