A NEW generation of jet engine being built by Rolls-Royce has been tested to destruction as part of its development programme.

The Trent 900 engine is being developed for the new Airbus A380 and the successful safety test was a key milestone in its bid to take to the skies.

Workers at Rolls-Royce, in Barnoldswick, manufacture the titanium fan blades for the engine which, at just under 10ft in diameter, are the largest ever designed by the firm.

During the test, which took place at its Hucknall facility, the engine was accelerated to full speed before a fan blade was released by an explosive charge.

The blade and its debris were contained successfully and the engine performed a controlled shutdown.

A Rolls-Royce spokesman explained the test was necessary for the engine to gain its air-worthiness certificate.

He said it was designed to prove that no other parts of the plane would be damaged in the unlikely event of a fan blade failure.