Lancashire defence giant BAE Systems is the world’s number one supplier of arms, according to a survey.

It is the first time a non-American company has topped the research, compiled by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

BAE replaced last year’s number one, US firm Boeing.

BAE part-manufactures the F35 Joint Strike Fighter and the Eurofighter Typhoon, two of the world’s leading fighter jets, at its Samlesbury plant, which employs 6,000.