EAST Lancashire aerospace firms are set to benefit from a new partnership with the Society of British Aerospace Companies.

They will get access to a range of national initiatives, government programmes and advance warning of possible Ministry of Defence contracts.

The North West Aerospace Alliance's managing director, Dennis Mendoros, left, announced the collaboration to MPs at a House of Commons reception.

He told the Evening Telegraph that the 750 members of the alliance, 400 from Lancashire, would benefit from the new regional partnership.

Mr Mendoros, who runs Euravia, Colne Road, Kelbrook, said: "The partnership will place special emphasis on promoting productivity improvement, raising skill levels and encouraging innovation.

"These are essential to secure long term competitive advantage in an increasingly global market place.

"The North West is a major force in aerospace markets worldwide, generating £7billion annually and supporting a direct workforce of some 60,000 employees.

"This is a great chance to ensure East Lancashire firms are fully plugged in to what is happening nationally and to make sure they have an effect on decisions taken at Westminster.

"The NWAA has made huge advances on behalf of local firms but this is another step forward. Despite ithe region's contribution to the national aerospace industry, we have seen a loss of jobs. This new partnership will safeguard existing jobs and hopefully bring new contracts and new employment to the region."

NWAA is the third regional partner after the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium and Northern Defence Industries in the North East to form a partnership with SBAC.

Its president Kevin Smith said: "This will give the North West a stronger voice in developing national strategies and opens up access to the full range of our services."

Chorley MP Lyndsay Hoyle, who hosted the reception said: "This is a great step forward.

"It means that the East Lancashire aerospace industry will have even greater opportunities to make use of their skills and have direct access to the leaders of power at Westminster."

East Lancashire firms currently working on aerospace projects include Callender Aeropart, Altham Industrial Estate, Accrington, which manufactures fan blades and jet engine components, among other products, and is involved with the Airbus A380. Its other clients include Boeing and Rolls-Royce Trent.

And BAE Systems plc makes parts for combat jets at its Samlesbury site.