BURNLEY aerospace firms are bidding for a multi-million slice of a major RAF new plane contract - which could bring 40 new skilled jobs to the town.

Aero and Industrial Technology Ltd and Pendle Aeroform are in the United Kingdom Industrial Team of companies hoping to build the replacement maritime patrol aircraft (RMPA) - a £2 billion project for 25 new aircraft.

They will know next month whether their Orion 2000 has been successful against two rival multi-national companies competing for a prize which could be the springboard to supplying a further 250 planes worldwide.

The Lockheed-led Orion is the only wholly new aircraft on the shortlist, with more than 200 British companies, including GEC, providing more than half the components.

AIT, which employs 350 men at the former Lucas plant at Hargher Clough, will provide complex sheet metal fabrications for the new plane in contracts which could be worth £15 million.

Director, Paul Atherton, says the contract is a significant breakthrough for AIT that will help maintain its position as a major international supplier in the field.

Success would safeguard a significant number of skilled jobs over the next 10 years.

Sales and marketing manager Dave Pickup said AIT had had its share of setbacks in the face of major international changes in the industry.

"Now we are in a position to go forward with a highly skilled workforce to compete aggressively in all markets."

The consortium believe they have the most modern, financially attractive and advanced aircraft in the competition and are confident it will be the service's first choice.

But with politicians having the final say, it is a question of fingers crossed that they will get the nod over their competitors.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.