THOUSANDS of East Lancashire aerospace workers are throwing their weight behind a new challenge.

Employees at the Samlesbury site are hoping to help raise more than £500,000 for the Leukaemia Research Fund under its charity challenge initiative.

The previous charity linked with the firm received £527,487 and organisers hope the latest appeal with top that figure.

To get the new appeal under way in East Lancashire, Samlesbury employees released 1,000 red and white balloons sponsored by colleagues which raised £650 and site general manager Stuart Mellor planted a rose bush at the site.

As well as raising cash for LRF staff at Samlesbury will also be raising thousands of pounds for local charities throughout the area.

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