A BLACKBURN company has scored what it believes to be a world first with the delivery of a state-of-the-art computer system.

Northern Industrial Electronics, of Glenfield Park, took centre stage at the launch of the new Microsoft business server and is being featured in specialist publications around the world.

Andy Fleming, works manager at NIE, said they had been told that the small business server was the first to be installed by Microsoft in the world.

" It is a big honour for a small company like NIE, " said Mr Fleming.

" We have gone from having just basic stand-alone PCs to the most advanced system available. The new system has made a big difference already."

NIE is based at Glenfield Park, Blackburn, and employs nine people. Established in 1979, the company provides specialist industrial electronic repairs for a broad range of industries including aerospace, brewing, engineering, textiles and chemicals.

Said Mr Fleming: "In today's market for industrial electronic repairs, equipment prices are being continually forced down while the repair jobs become more complex.

" We are continuously looking for ways to become more efficient. Microsoft's small business server will enable us to do this in a cost-effective way. "