THE battle to save Jodrell bank took another step forward as science chiefs confirmed they will pay some of the costs to keep observatory open. But they have not told anybody how much.

The world-famous observatory was threatened when a government-funding body announced plans to withdraw support for the flagship Merlin project.

Last week the Science Technology and Facilities Council (STFC) announced it had changed its mind and would stump up some of the £2.5m-a-year grant.

Astronomers and the observatory's backers say they have no idea exactly how much funding the body plans to provide.

The Cheshire observatory, part of Manchester University, has carried out internationally-acclaimed research and the e-Merlin network would allow astronomers to see some of the clearest images of the universe.

The STFC, which pays for astronomy research but faces its own cash crisis, had planned to stop funding the scheme next April.

Instead, the agency confirmed it was asking the university and the North West Development Agency, which paid set-up costs for e-Merlin, to share some of the running costs.

Prof Phil Mason, chair of the STFC, said: "We have targeted our money very carefully at the areas which will have greatest impact for UK science."

Other agencies expressed surprise over the STFC's claim that a deal with be struck `very soon', saying no figures had been mentioned to them.

A university spokesman said: "We look forward to receiving details from the TFC of the funding package."

But one observatory source said: "We are a long way from celebrating yet. It could be five per cent or 90 per cent. We just don't know."

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