England players' shirts if they qualify for the 2002 football World Cup in South Korea and Japan could be made from material being developed in Colchester.

The contract for the kit with Umbro, the England team's suppliers, has been awarded to the Defence, Clothing and Textiles Agency based at Colchester Garrison.

But while admitting the agency has won the contract, and is one of a number working for Umbro, officials refused to reveal further details.

The agency's head, Professor Colin Lewis, said: "We are developing material for the England strip in the next World Cup."

His colleague Adrian Randall added: "We are using our background in designing materials to allow people to work efficiently in hot climates on allowing people to play football efficiently in hot climates."

He said it was the first time the agency had been called in to work for a football team, and added: "We have experience in developing clothing for people in extreme conditions.

"The contract is ongoing and is due to last for several years. It makes life a little more secure for the people who work here."

The agency, which is under threat of closure but is currently the subject of a proposed management buy-out, is responsible for designing clothing and textile equipment for all three armed services.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.