THE handover of two modern multi-million pound fighter jets signalled the first part of a deal that will secure thousands of jobs in the area.

In a ceremony at British Aerospace's site at Warton near Preston the company handed over the first pair of modern Tornado aircraft to RAF boss Air Chief Marshall Sir Richard Johns.

The planes are the first batch of 142 to be made and sold to the RAF to help in their defence of the realm - and all will be ready and delivered by 2002.

And the work that will go into the project will keep thousands of BAe and associated industry workers in jobs for years to come.

Mike Rouse, BAe's Managing Director, said as he handed the planes over to Sir Johns: "In 1994 after some hard but effective negotiations the contract was signed. It led to a challenging requirement to deliver this aircraft today.

"It is the result of an enormous amount of effort. We will be producing a plane every eight working days at peak production in 1999."

Lord Johns added: "We for our part need to be ready to combat a range of threats. We can now have confidence in our airforce capibilities.

"The determination of BAe staff has shown what can be achieved. It's a shining example and I warmly praise everyone involved." The revamped GR4 Tornados will eventually replace the successful GR1 planes which were used to good effect in the Gulf war.

They include an ultra-modern night vision system which works from infra-red and special goggles which enable the pilot to fly as if it was daytime.

RAF Boscombe Down will be the home for the Tornados as they are tested over the next few months before coming into service next September.

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