The Aberdeen Met Office has been saved after a long battle

Moves to centralise some services at a base in Exeter were strongly opposed by politicians and business leaders.

However, 26 of the 37 Aberdeen jobs are being retained along with the majority of the centre's functions.

The news, confirmed by Defence Minister Don Touhig, received a mixed reaction from politicians and unions.

The majority of Met Office weather forecasts will now be produced in Exeter.

This solution will ensure that the Met Office continues to provide an excellent service to all of its customers and the country at large Don Touhig Defence Minister

Aberdeen will continue to provide commercial marine services for oil and gas operators so they can plan operational activities.

The centre will also be involved in public forecasting for severe weather warnings, and the service for highway engineers planning winter road maintenance.

Mr Touhig said: "This solution will ensure that the Met Office continues to provide an excellent service to all of its customers and the country at large, and will retain the vital commercial services that the Aberdeen office offers.

Best solution

"The consultation period was very extensive, involving lengthy talks with trade unions, customers and MPs.

"As a result of listening and consulting so extensively, a fifth option came to light.

"To fully explore it, I decided to extend the consultation period by a month.

"It was this final - or fifth - option that is the best possible solution."

The Met Office will now be work towards implementing the decision by the end of 2006.

The decision is far better than the original proposal Anne Begg Aberdeen South Labour MP

Prospect, the union representing hundreds of Met Office staff, said the decision to withdraw Met Office forecasting production from UK regions would result in lost skills and expertise.

However, negotiator Jim Cooper said the strength of the union's argument had prevented closure of the Aberdeen centre, saving 26 jobs.

Aberdeen South Labour MP Anne Begg said: "I am happy at the result of a well fought campaign, where local MPs were able to persuade the MoD of the valuable work carried out by the staff presently in Aberdeen.

'Extremely angry'

"This has now been recognised by the Met Office and, while the numbers working in Aberdeen will be slightly reduced, the decision is far better than the original proposal."

Scottish National Party MSP for Aberdeen North, Brian Adam, said: "I am glad that Aberdeen Met Office will remain in operation, but I am extremely angry that a decision has been made to transfer the shipping forecast to Exeter.

"Aberdeen Met Office has been hailed as a centre of excellence and turns a profit so I find it extremely galling that the Met Office and the Ministry of Defence have decided to transfer this work to Exeter.

"I am perturbed at the way that this entire matter has been handled by the Met Office and I will be writing to the National Audit Office to ask them to carry out an investigation into how the Met Office is operating."