DIRECTORS of one of Burnley's major employers received almost £1million in bonuses despite falling sales.

But the seven directors of engineering giant Smiths Group -- the parent company of Aero and Industrial Technology and Aero and Industrial Services based at Woodtop, Burnley -- received less than the the £1.3million handed out last year, according to the company's newly published annual report and accounts.

Chief executive Keith Butler-Wheelhouse, 56, received a £357,000 bonus and £700,000 salary in the financial year to July 31. Together with pension contributions and shares granted under a deferred bonus scheme he received a total pay package of £1,707,000, up from £1,385,000 the previous year.

John Ferrie, 55, group managing director of the aerospace division, received a £127,000 bonus and £320,000 salary as part of a £794,000 package, up from £681,000.

Lawrence Kinet, 55, group managing director of the medical division, received a £52,000 bonus and £310,000 salary as part of a £584,000 package, down from £641,000.

Group managing director of sealing solutions John Langston, 52, received a £111,000 bonus and £310,000 salary as part of a £447,000 package, down from

£571,000.

David Lillycrop, 46, general counsel, received a £107,000 bonus and £300,000 salary as part of £594,000 package, up from £582,000.

Einar Lindh, 57, group managing director of the industrial division, received a £60,000 bonus and £300,000 salary for a £471,000 package, down from £531,000.

Financial director Alan Thomson, 56, received a £129,000 bonus and £360,000 salary for a £626,000 package, up from £567,000.

They are paid for successful performance and meeting certain targets. During the financial year sales at the company fell to £3billion compared to £3.1billion the previous year.

Operating profits were £452million, down from £499million.

In his chairman's statement in the report Keith Orrell-Jones said it had been a challenging year for the company because of the downturn in civil aerospace and its other markets.

But he said the underlying strength of the group's businesses gave the company confidence that it can sustain its long term growth.

During the year the company made donations of £853,000 to charity. The company's annual general meeting will be held on November 12.