NEW Jaguar cars have been to ends of the earth and back thanks to a Blackburn firm.

Special test chambers designed by engineers at Clive Hurley are being used to assess the car's performance in conditions found in areas ranging from deserts to the arctic.

Tests are carried out to make sure components such as electric windows and shock absorbers continue to function under all conditions.

After a spell in the "chamber of horrors" a car covers a simulated 150,000 miles.

The chamber, which is 8.5 metres long and built using insulated acoustic panels, is big enough to test any of the latest Jaguar models. To replicate the sun, the new chamber has more than 600 infra-red lamps and has special monitoring equipment which picks up the slightest sound from any area of the car.

Temperature inside the chamber can vary between -40C and 70C.

"Factors such as temperature and humidity can have a significant effect on component strength and the way it operates," explained Bill Slater, head of structural test at Jaguar.

"The new chamber gives engineers the opportunity to assess complete vehicle operation without having to travel to the Arctic or Arizona."

Clive Hurley, based on Bolton Road, specialises in testing systems used by customers including car manufacturers and the food industry.

Picture: The chamber is used to ensure that cars will be free from squeaks and rattles