A DARWEN company could be set to win lucrative contracts after winning a prestigious qualification.

Brookhouse Composites Ltd, based in India Mill, is one of just a handful of UK firms to land an award which shows the company follows strict guidelines laid down by the new European Aviation Safety Agency.

The approval means the company is allowed to make and repair aircraft parts under airworthiness codes set out by the European Union. The certificate also gives customers a guarantee that the parts are to the highest standard possible under EU regulations.

Terry Unsworth, sales manager at Brookhouse Composites Ltd, said it meant more business was on its way to the firm. He said: "I have just been to the Farnborough Air Show with a company exhibition and this new accreditation has led to a very successful event with a lot of inquiries because of it.

"It is a very important tool for us which will help us obtain work. It is a pre-requisite to doing certain work and also shows people, especially the European companies, that we do have the accreditation awarded by the EASA.

"Brookhouse has always been one of the first to attain these qualifications and in a way this is an extension to the Part 145 qualification we already have."

All companies wanting the qualification have to undergo strict assessments to ensure a high standard of work. Only a small number of business are deemed worthy of the new qualification.