HOPES are high this week that orders running into millions of pounds will be winging their way to East Lancashire as local firms fly the flag for British industry in Paris.

The Paris International Air Show is arguably the world's leading showcase for the aerospace industry. And the work of thousands of East Lancashire employees will be on display during the week-long event.

More than 40 different nation states, 1,500 aerospace firms and 150,000 people are expected to attend the event.

The big talking point at this year's show is bound to be the continuing wrangle over the £35 billion Eurofighter project. It is expected that one of the Eurofighter development aircraft will be flying at the show - making sure the future of the jet is kept at the top of the agenda.

Pressure is mounting on Germany to make a decision on committing to the production phase which will have a huge impact on British Aerospace's two Lancashire sites and on tens of thousands of North West jobs.

Rolls-Royce will also have a major presence at the show with 16 of its engines including those it is involved in through joint ventures with other manufacturers on display. The firm, which employs more than 800 people at its Barnoldswick site manufacturing wide chord fan blades and other engine components, is also expected to use the show to announce a clutch of new orders.

And many smaller East Lancashire firms will also be bidding for a slice of billions of pounds of contracts which will be awarded during the show.

The Consortium of Lancashire Aerospace, based in Clayton-le-Moors, will be representing dozens of local firms involved in the industry with its own stand.

Member companies including AIT of Burnley, Cleveland-Guest of Colne and Euravia Engineering and Supply of Kelbrook, will be among those exhibiting under the consortium's umbrella and hoping to bring back business to East Lancashire.

Lancashire County Council will also be exhibiting on the stand.

"Some 30,000 jobs are dependent one way or another on the aerospace industry in Lancashire," said county council leader John West. "It is vital that we continue to promote the industry, its achievements and capabilities to a wider international market.

"The CLA and its member companies in the region have generated around £30 million worth of new orders as a result of exhibiting at air shows in recent years.

"By any standards this represents a major boost for the local economy and jobs."

On the eve of the show, the Consortium pledged to work with the new Labour government to help ensure the industry had a strong future in Europe.

"We hope the CLA and the new administration will work very closely and help us carry on the good work we have been doing for the last five years," said chairman Dennis Mendoros.

The CLA is calling for a long term national and European-wide policy for aerospace, incentives for capital investment and training and research support for smaller firms.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph will be at the Paris Air Show and reporting all the latest news throughout this week.

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