BRITISH Aerospace in Lancashire has won a top regional award for its service to the community.

BAe Military Aircraft, which employs more than 11,000 at its sites at Samlesbury and Warton, won the 1996 North West Business in the Community private sector award for its employee involvement in the community.

The award was based on four different aspects of its community work, including the Young People Programme, fundraising through the Charity Challenge initiative, BAe's North West Heritage Group and its schools network.

The Young People Programme involves activities with groups such as Raleigh International, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Programme and the Prince's Trust Volunteer scheme. Under the Charity Challenge Initiative employees under 26 are encouraged to raise funds for local and national charities and groups such as the Lord's House Farm at Rishton have been helped over the last year.

The heritage group involves more than 40 past and present employees meeting on a regular basis.

"This prestigious award recognised BAe's commitment to supporting local communities where our sites are based as well as the quality, hard work and enthusiasm of the numerous employees, said Paul Sedgwick, Military Aircraft personnel director.

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