MORE than 100 BAE Systems workers from Samlesbury were to lobby chief executive Mike Turner and the management board today over the decision to sell off Aerostructures.

The site between Blackburn and Preston employs more than 450 people who make components for the Airbus passenger jet.

BAE Systems announced last year that it planned to sell off the branch of the company in the next few months.

But the engineering union believes the sell-off could result in a number of job losses.

Aerostructures, based in Prestwick, Scotland, employs 1,500 workers in total and a number of protesters from Prestwick were also expected to travel to Stirling Square in Westminster today.

Employees will urge Mr Turner and the management board to reconsider the decision that Aerostructures is no longer part of the core business.

Union convenor Neil Sheenan said: "We are not trying to do this as a massive lobby as it's quite a small area and we will have enough there to make our presence felt.

"It is always very difficult but we will keep on trying until they change their current position.

"We believe we have the weight of sensible argument in our favour and will continue to press that with the chief executive.

"We believe Aerostructures is a profitable enterprise and cannot see any sense in selling off a profitable part of the business."