AEROSPACE staff who work for BAE Systems in Saudi Arabia have been placed on security alert following the fatal shooting of one of their Lancashire colleagues.

Robert Dent, 37, from Tarleton, was killed by a gunman who pulled up alongside his vehicle as he waited at traffic lights in the capital Riyadh.

The motive for the murder is not yet known, but it has renewed concerns for the safety of BAE's 2,500 British staff in Saudi Arabia.

BAE spokesman Mike Sweeney, said: "We are reviewing security on an on-going basis, but we do not comment on what specific advice is given.

"We are keeping staff advised at all times and we are talking with the British Embassy in Riyadh, the Foreign Office and the relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia."

Mr Dent's death comes less than a fortnight after another BAE employee escaped with minor injuries after also being shot at while driving his car in Riyadh.

Foreign Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw, said the Foreign Office had issued new advice to British citizens in Saudi Arabia to take greater care and watch the security and political situation.

"I was very shocked to hear of this tragic death," he said. "The Foreign Office is in constant touch with developments.

"BAE Systems takes every effort to look after its employees and we receive great co-operation from the Saudi authorities in trying to ensure the security of BAE and other workers in the country." Hyndburn MP Greg Pope, said news of the murder was very worrying. "It is essential the the company, the Foreign Office and the Saudi Arabian Government co-operate to ensure the safety of British nationals who are working in the country on this highly important contract," he said.

"They are contributing to the safety of Saudi Arabia and, indeed, the West, in these difficult circumstances."

Mr Sweeney said that even before the murder, concern over instability in the area had led the company to give workers and their families who returned to the UK for the Muslim festival of Eid this month the option to remain in Britain, rather than return to Saudi Arabia.

BAE Systems employs 5,500 people in Saudi Arabaia, 2,500 of them UK citizens, on the multi-billion-pound El Yamamah contract for Tornado jet fighters.

Most of the British staff are ex-RAF, though they do include some personnel who have worked at BAE's two Lancashire plants at Samlesbury and Warton.

Mr Dent had been in Saudi Arabia since 1989 and lived there with his two children, Oliver and Grace.

Ribble Valley Tory MP Nigel Evans, said: "I am extremely concerned about this killing.

"I know British Aerospace are issuing new guidance to their staff in Saudi Arabia about ensuring their safety and the Foreign Office are revising their travel advice to the country.

"They are doing their best, but they really have to consider whether British Nationals or BAE staff are safe in Saudi after this latest tragic murder.

"It is extremely worrying."