ENGINEERING firms across East Lancashire have been challenged to bid for a part in the Eurofighter project.

Companies keen to have a slice of the action, the biggest defence project in the country, have been asked to come forward with proposals to supply British Aerospace.

But the defence giant has warned that sub-contractors will have to meet stringent cost and quality standards,

Philip Blundell, new site director at British Aerospace's Samlesbury factory, told a Consortium of Lancashire Aerospace meeting that the proportion of work going to sub-contractors was expected to increase from 16 to 21 per cent over the next decade. But he challenged local firms to prove they could take on the work and meet strict requirements on cost and quality.

Mr Blundell said preferred suppliers stood to benefit greatly, especially in producing tooling around 80 per cent of which would be sourced from sub-contractors.

"My challenge to you is to come back and tell us how you are going to approach the issues we have put forward.

"We are looking for a pro-active response but if you do not come to us, we are going to make happen what we need to happen," said Mr Blundell.

Consortium members agreed to form a working party led by chairman Dennis Mendoros to explore the issues and co-ordinate a response to BAe.

The meeting, at the Fence Gate, attracted a record attendance.

"I am certain that every person present learned something from the meeting.

"The attendance alone proves that the consortium really is going from strength to strength," said Mr Mendoros.

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