THE North West Aerospace Alliance has stressed to the region's MPs how important the industry is.

Burnley MP Peter Pike and his Pendle Labour colleague Gordon Prentice were at the Westminster meeting addressed by its leader, Dennis Mendoros.

They were there because of the particular importance of aerospace to East Lancashire, sandwiched between BAE Systems military aircraft factories at Samlesbury and Warton and Rolls-Royce's factory at Barnoldswick. Dozens of hi-tech suppliers in the area depend on these factories.

Mr Prentice said: "The North West is the UK's largest and most important aerospace region, with more than 60,000 employees and a turnover of £6billion per annum.

"The North West Aerospace Alliance is working closely with the North West Development Agency and other regional partners on exciting new projects such as the Aerospace Innovation Centre, which will provide long-term help in maintaining this position as a world force in aerospace.

"Mr Mendoros told us that the number of people travelling by air had now picked up to levels the same as before the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001 and that orders were also increasing."

Mr Prentice is to meet with BAE Systems, the alliance, the North West Development Agency and the AMICUS engineering trade union to discuss the industry.