A GROWING Burnley aerospace firm is waiting on a Ministry of Defence decision which could help secure existing jobs and create new ones.

Pendle Aeroform is ready to start work in the summer on wing parts for the Grand Slam missile, which could become the armed forces' new long-range non-nuclear weapon.

The Hargher Street company, which has a £7.5 million annual turnover, will continue its rapid growth if the government chooses Grand Slam.

Pendle Aeroform is one of the firms used by US aerospace giant McDonnell Douglas, the company behind the Grand Slam bid for the MoD contract.

Managing Director Stephen Ward, fresh from a visit to the American firm's Missouri HQ, told the Citizen: "We were involved in another McDonnell Douglas programme for the British army's attack helicopter. Our company benefited greatly - we will create 15 new jobs as a result.

"A grand slam win would help us consolidate the jobs within that particular manufacturing cell and contribute considerably to our overall growth plan."

Established in 1989 in the former Lucas Aerospace factory at Hargher Clough, Pendle Aeroform already helps Lucas with manufacture of parts for the Harpoon missile, a similar weapon to the Grand Slam.

Business manager Eric Smith said: "We are approved by more than 15 aerospace companies and we think this speaks volumes for the calibre of work that we do."

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