EAST Lancashire has the biggest cluster of aerospace companies in Europe - and the specialist skills of their employees are a vital asset to the area.

This was obvious to anyone at this week's Farnborough Air Show where the North West Aerospace Alliance had a bigger presence than many European countries.

The retention of the skills within these companies, the entrepreneurial flair that goes with them and the employment and wealth they create must be retained and not be allowed to break up or go abroad because, for example, of the loss of a single contract.

The £20million centre of excellence for the aerospace industry which we are told will be built in Lancashire soon is central to keeping us firmly in the driving seat of the world's industry.

It will be a first port of call as a global centre for research and development pooling the expertise of numerous specialist firms in the region as well as a showcase for marketing their products.

As Dennis Mendoros says: "It will help us to re-establish our competitive edge to compete in world markets" bringing together academia and industry.

The aerospace industry hasn't just happened in East Lancashire.

Its success is the result of a lot of effort by a lot of experts. Politicians and civil servants must play their part in ensuring this good work is not lost.