A bright future lies ahead for West Cumbria as a site near Workington has been shortlisted to forge multi-million-pound business links with Heathrow Airport.

The News & Star understand the former Alcan site at Lillyhall is one of 18 to make the shortlist out of 121 expressions of interest to host one of four logistics hubs to support the planned expansion of the airport.

The news has been welcomed by leading politicians and Sellafield, which has lead the bid.

Gary McKeating, head of community and development for Sellafield Ltd, said: "We are delighted that the West Cumbria site has reached the next stage of the Heathrow expansion competition. It demonstrates the unlimited potential of our region, as a hub of diverse skills and expertise, to compete on a national level to deliver major developments for the UK.

"This is a great example of us working in collaboration with local authorities and our supply chain together to unlock opportunities for economic development in West Cumbria."

The shortlisted sites will be invited to enter a formal tender process this autumn, with the final four Heathrow Logistics Hubs to be announced in early 2020.

In the logistics hubs components of the airport will be pre-assembled before being transported to Heathrow. The expansion project is expected to deliver up to £16 billion worth of economic benefits and create 15,300 jobs across the North West.

Mark Fryer, deputy leader of Allerdale council, said: "When we first met with Heathrow, they weren't aware of the fantastic opportunities for logistics here in West Cumbria. When they visited the site last year we showed them around the area and the Port of Workington and suddenly they realised what we have to offer. It's a testament to West Cumbria that we got to secure a position in the next stage of the process.

"In recent weeks we've had news of multiple business opportunities here, which will bring even more investment in the area - a bright future lies ahead for us."

His comments were echoed by Mike Starkie, mayor of Copeland. The logistics hubs' news comes hot off the heels of the go-ahead of Woodhouse Colliery, a business plan for a new stadium in Workington as wells as £1.6 million to be invested for coastal projects in the area. He said: "We've been very supportive of this from the start and it's great news for the whole of West Cumbria and we'll get to return into use a building that has had multiple issues with antisocial behaviour. Lillyhall is right on the border between Allerdale and Copeland and it's great to be able to really put Cumbria on the map."

The project is supported by Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, Allerdale and Copeland councils, Britain's Energy Coast Business Cluster, Workington MP Sue Hayman and Copeland MP Trudy Harrison.

Mrs Hayman said: "We clearly demonstrated that we have skills, expertise and support in West Cumbria to work with Heathrow. It's really positive that we got down to the last 18."

Mrs Harrison said: "This decision is more good news for West Cumbria and I really do commend the team behind the proposal. "Manufacturing in our area is highly regarded for its excellent quality and world beating design, Heathrow have made a sound business decision in my view."