ENGINEERS at an East Lancashire firm are being enlisted to help build the ‘supercar’ designed to break the world land speed record.

PDS Engineering, in Cliffe Street, Nelson, is set to supply various parts for Bloodhound SSC (Super Sonic Car).

The company, one of the leading specialists in high-precision detail machining, has been involved in several other high-profile projects.

Measuring 42ft long, 9ft high and weighing 6.4 tonnes, the brand new state-of-the-art car is aiming to drive through the 1,000mph barrier.

It is currently being designed by the Richard Noble and will be driven by Andy Green, a Royal Air Force pilot.

The pair hold the world land speed title for their record-breaking car Thrust SSC, which reached a speed of 766mph.

They hope to break this record with Bloodhound in 2011.

John Getty, chairman of PDS, said the opportunity to be involved in the project came about following a ‘clandestine meeting’ with Richard several months ago.

He added: “My objectives are two-fold - we want to show young people there is life in manufacturing and give them a reason to go college to study engineering.

“We also want to put a team of top individuals together from Lancashire to prove to everyone that the county leads the way in engineering.”

John said PDS was instrumental in other world-record-related projects, including the restoration of Bluebird, the jet-powered boat in which Donald Campbell set the water-speed record in the 1960s and the manufacturing of Richard Branson’s hot air balloon.

It also contributed parts for the axles, hubs, suspension, brakes and steering, during the course of the Thrust build and was subsequently named Best Sub-contractor - Machining at the International SUBCON Exhibition in 1998.

John said the company will be supplying fixtures and a rapid-filling fuel pump, although it is likely that other critical parts will also be required.

Bloodhound will be powered by a Eurojet EJ200 and a Falcon hybrid rocket and will boast a maximum speed of 1,050mph.