CORUS jobs could be bolstered by a huge order for ready made 'prefab' soldiers' barracks.

The metals giant will design and build a prototype block that could lead to a deal to house 10,700 military staff.

The Llanwern plant in Newport will roll metal to provide the carcass for the units that make up the housing blocks.

If the prototype leads to an order for 10,700 rooms - which will have ensuite showers - then 16,000 tonnes of steel will be used. Corus hopes a deal will be finalised by the end of the year.

It's further good news for Corus and workers at Llanwern. Last month Corus announced their first step back into profitability since 2000.

Scott MacDonald, division director, said: "We are looking to make a step change in the volume of modular housing available in the UK market and this order will help us to demonstrate our capabilities and the quality of our product."

Corus has set up a business wing called Living Solutions to try to gain dominance in the market for factory-assembled housing units.

Modular units can be put up much quicker than by using regular building methods and Corus is predicting a big market in the armed forces, hospitals, schools and hotels.

The barracks will be put together at a new £4m production line at Shotton, near Chester, North Wales.

The prototype has been commissioned by Aspire Defence as part of a private finance initiative scheme for the MoD.

Corus' prototype uses 51 'building block' units to house 36 junior ranking soldiers and will be placed at Perham Down, Wiltshire. Its performance will be monitored before a decision to build 145 similar blocks over the next eight years.

Each soldier will have his or her own bedroom and an en-suite shower room, contained in a five by three-metre steel-framed unit. The 'prefab' units have a brick exterior and a standard roof.

Each unit can be delivered to site with a fitted wardrobe, study area, lighting, plumbing, carpeting and curtain rail installed.

The barrack block will also comprise communal, utility and baggage rooms. A rainwater harvesting system and solar heating panels for pre-heating boiler water may also be included.