BRITISH Aerospace's Samlesbury site has won a top award for its work in the community.

The Military Aircraft Division scooped the large company category in the regional Business in the Community awards.

The Samlesbury site was responsible for three of the division's five submissions to the judges for its work with Blackburn Partnership, a project to build stables at the Lords House Farm Riding School for the Disabled in Rishton and the Cultural Variety Concert organised by employees.

BAe's work with the Partnership in the Blackburn area includes chairing the Bank Top Employers Forum Crime Prevention Group, supplying a community patrol vehicle for special constables in the town and sponsoring a group of majorettes from the Roman Road estate.

At the Lords House Farm Riding Centre, which provides facilities for disabled children, six employees from Samlesbury undertook a major building programme.

"This prestigious award recognises BAe's commitment to supporting the local communities around sites as well as the quality hard work and enthusiasm of the numerous employees who actively take part in the community involvement programme," said Paul Sedgwick, personnel director.

BAe's winning submission has now gone through for the national Business in the Community Awards which will be announced this Friday.

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