A GLASS business will be swapping Wickford for war-torn Iraq after winning an £80,000 contract to help regenerate its capital city.

Billericay Glass, which is based in Wickford, has been awarded a contract to supply 500 shower screens for a new hotel being built in Baghdad.

The Iraqi conflict destroyed large parts of cities, such as Baghdad, but work to regenerate these badly-hit areas is well under way.

Wayne Morris, managing director of Billericay Glass, said: “We are very pleased to have been given this contract to supply the shower screens.

“It is a very promising prospect when you think about the future developments and the location of Iraq itself.

“It is quite an intriguing project to be involved in.

“Hopefully it will open a few more doors for us.”

The company was put forward for the contract on the 500-bed hotel by a London based-designer, and delegates from the contracting company met with management to seal the deal.

The contract is the first Billericay Glass has undertaken overseas, and could lead to a job on a complex planned for Basra, another Iraqi city.

Mr Morris said he feels proud to be involved in the rebuilding of Baghdad, even if it is in a small way, and is willing to travel out to Iraq if necessary.

He said: “I know 500 screens may not be the biggest part of the development, but it is part nonetheless and it is a good feeling to be part of it.

“I have been out to China to check out our materials for this project, but if I was asked to I would definitely go out to Iraq.”