SUFFOLK/BEDFORDSHIRE: Holiday village Center Parcs - which has a base in Suffolk - has announced the construction of its fifth UK centre.

The �250million project, in Woburn Forest in Bedfordshire, will begin within weeks.

The construction phase will take around two years, with a scheduled opening date set for spring 2014.

Center Parcs also operates holiday villages in Elveden Forest in Suffolk, Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, Longleat Forest in Wiltshire and Whinfell Forest in in Cumbria.

In all, the firm owns 26 resorts across Europe.

The announcement of its fifth UK resort follows the completion of the requirements of planning consent, including the construction of a new roundabout at Millbrook, the diversion of Public Rights of Way and creation of new bridleways and cycle paths around the site.

The project today received backing from the Prime Minister, who recognised the economic importance of Woburn Forest.

David Cameron said: “Center Parcs is much loved by many and this new site is not only great news for holiday-makers but great news for the economy too.

“This expansion and the jobs that it brings will be a real boost to growth and a sign of the increasing investor confidence that there is too.”

Center Parcs Woburn Forest will create in excess of 1,200 jobs during the construction phase alone, and then a further 1,500 jobs once the village is open.

Center Parcs cheief executive officer Martin Dalby said: “We are delighted to be moving on to the next stage of this project, and to have a definite opening date of Spring 2014.”