THOUSANDS of aerospace workers in Lancashire received a major boost with the news that the government is planning a £2 billion order for new aircraft.

Defence secretary George Robertson said the UK intended to buy around 50 heavy military transport aircraft to replace its ageing Hercules transport fleet.

It is thought almost certain the Government will choose the Future Large Aircraft from the European Airbus Consortium of which British Aerospace has a 20 per cent share.

BAe's Samlesbury site is heavily involved in production for wings for the Airbus commercial aircraft and if the contract is secured a significant share of the work is expected to come to East Lancashire.

Rolls-Royce is likely to provide the engines for the FLA which could include components manufactured at the firm's Barnoldswick site.

Other European countries including Spain, Turkey, France and Germany are all expected to buy the FLA which could be ready to enter service early in the next century.

A spokesman for BAe today welcomed the Government announcement: "As a leading manufacturer involved in Airbus wing production BAe welcomes this positive news."

He added that although it was early days it was hoped the Samlesbury site would benefit from work on the FLA.

Although Mr Robertson said the Government would now be seeking bids from several manufacturers to ensure the RAF was getting value for money he stressed "it looks as though the FLA is going to fly".

Mr Robertson said he was confident that Airbus would win the contract against competition particularly from American manufacturers.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.