BICESTER is one of a string of military depots criticised in a report for holding too much stock.

The report, by the National Audit Office, said £4.2bn worth of non-explosive inventory such as clothing and combat supplies had not moved off shelves in two years.

Bicester Defence Storage and Distribution Centre is one of a number of depots in the joint supply chain which store and issue equipment to troops across the globe.

There was enough stock to last more than five years based on usage in the past three years.

Unite union convener for MoD Bicester Les Sibley said: “We have got to be a bit more efficient in ordering essential supplies and equipment.

“Unfortunately in the past we did order a lot more than what was required. They probably did it to buy in bulk and save money.”

The Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Peter Luff, said: “We are changing the way we buy, store and dispose of equipment stocks and investing in IT systems to help us record the hundreds of thousands of items in our inventory.”