BURY-based Antler Luggage has bagged a new contract worth £1.2 million.

The company, whose headquarters are at the Pilot Works in Alfred Street, has been awarded the contract by British Airways.

And it's all part of an ambitious move designed to increase efficiency and service standards for customers whose baggage is damaged in transit.

The new partnership will see Antler working with BA's Arrival Services in the UK to replace transit-damaged luggage within 48 hours with a similar item in terms of quality and type.

Repairs, where appropriate, will be carried out centrally and returned promptly.

Marcus Aldrich, service recovery manager worldwide for BA, explained: "We chose Antler as they are baggage experts. It's their business.

"When passenger baggage is damaged by manual or mechanical handling, our new supplier enables us to provide various options of repair or replacement with consistency and continuity." Antler won the contract against stiff international competition, largely due to a long-standing reputation for quality as well as an impressive history of innovation in research and development in the baggage industry.

BA currently deals with several companies in replacing customers' baggage, but wanted to streamline the service to improve quality and consistency. The new contract involves seven UK airports.

Brian Wreford, marketing director of Antler, commented: "This partnership is a first for the luggage and airline industries and it's a major step to see one of the world's leading airlines team up with one of the leading luggage manufacturers.

"It means BA can draw on our expertise and resources to enhance their high standards of customer service with a better level of quality and consistency of service than ever".

He added:"It also means we can test new designs of luggage as part of our research and development to improve products.

"Whereas most manufacturers test by simulation, our close working relationship with BA will mean we can continually test new products for real in some of the worlds busiest baggage handling systems."

Mr Wreford continued: "In the long run, this will be of huge benefit to everyone involved, not least the customer."