A training scheme to encourage youngsters to take an interest in engineering has won a top award.

British Aerospace's Young Engineers Club attracts teenagers from across Lancashire who want to learn basic engineering skills.

The scheme, open to 14 to 16 year-olds, enables youngsters to experience a workshop atmosphere and teamwork.

Around 40 per cent of the recent intake of apprentices by the military aircraft division have been ex-members of the Warton-based Young Engineers Club.

Now the scheme has been recognised with a National Training Award - one of only 91 from 1000 entries.

"BAe gives everyone the opportunity to develop and provides the right process for training," said engineering skills manager Jeff Benson.

"People are a unique resource to the company."

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