THE cream of East Lancashire's engineering industry will be taking on the rest of the world at the Paris International Air Show later this month.

Dozens of companies will be showcasing their talents at the event where contracts worth billions of pounds will be on offer.

While major companies like BAE SYSTEMS and Rolls-Royce will be staging their own exhibitions at Le Bourget, smaller companies have been given a chance to compete.

The Nelson-based North West Aerospace Alliance, which represents hundreds of companies involved in the defence and civialian aerospace sector, is mounting its largest-ever overseas venture.

Thanks to support from the Department for Trade and Industry, the alliance has booked a 140 square metre stand at what is Europe's biggest show for the aerospace industry.

More than 15 companies will be present on the stand throughout the show which runs from June 16-24.

Many other firms will be promoting themselves through sales literature and displays and company bosses will use the stand as a base for searching for new business leads.

Marketing Manager Paul Hughes said the Paris International Air Show was a key event for member companies.

"The scene is set for our biggest ever presence overseas," he said. " The Paris Air Show is of global importance and our members have always done exceptionally well there from the time we first exhibited in the mid-1990s."

Mr Hughes said that in addition to supporting the companies attending the event, the organisation was also promoting the complete aerospace capability in the North West.

The NWAA stand will incorporate a large meeting area, literature library and a private meeting area.

Facilities will also include an internet link to its ground-breaking website which contains details of all member companies