AEROSPACE workers in East Lancashire helped break an order book record in 1997.

The Airbus consortium - which British Aerospace is a partner in - had its most successful year ever, winning firm orders for 480 aircraft worth almost 30 billion dollars.

BAe's Samlesbury site is heavily involved in work for the Airbus, manufacturing leading and trailing edges, spoilers and other components for the A319/A320/A321 and A330 versions.

Managing director of Airbus, Jean Pierson, said the consortium was on course to reach a 50 per cent market share compared with around 33 per cent at the moment.

The main rival to Airbus, American giant Boeing, is expected to announce its 1997 order figures within the next few days.

The success of Airbus also benefits the Rolls-Royce site at Barnoldswick which makes aero engine components for the Trent engines.

Last month the firm announced that seven airlines had placed orders with the Airbus consortium for 100 of the new Airbus A340-500/600 which is powered by the engines.

The Barnoldswick factory, which employs 1,000 people, manufactures components including wide chord fan blades and bearing housings for the company's engines.

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