UNIONS are bidding to secure the future of 75 jobs when they meet the new owners of the aerostructures division at BAE Systems Samlesbury.

The news comes as it was also announced BAE unions had agreed a deal with the company over its pensions saga.

The company announced this week it was to sell the business, which makes wing components for commercial airlines, to Canadian-owned Spirit Aerosystems for £80milion.

The aerospace giant has been trying to sell aerostructures, the majority of which is based in Prestwick, Scotland, since 2002 after deciding to concentrate soley on defence aircraft.

Spirit Aerosystems, which supplies plane-makers Airbus and Boeing, said the deal would enable it to "expand and grow" in Europe. It will take over Samlesbury's 77 aero-structures workers and another 860 in Prestwick , subject to the deal being approved by industry regulators.

Barry Culshaw, who represents Amicus union members at Samlesbury, said: "For a lot of people there will be apprehension now it has been sold and for some people there will be relief that the waiting is finally over and they can look forward to the future."

Lynne Blow, for BAE's aerostructures business, said: "Spirit Aerosystems is a very well thought of company in the United States and the aerostructures business will do better under its ownership." Asked whether jobs at Samles-bury were safe, Ms Blow, added: "The deal was secured on the basis that if the business was working, and they (Spirit Aerosystems) have the full intention of having a presence here."

The sale of aero-structures has been on the cards since 2002 but a deal fell through during negotiation stages in 2003.

A recent upturn in the aerostructures industry enabled BAE to find a buyer. Spirit Aerosystems had sales of £207million and earnings of £7.4million in 2005.

The pensions deal will see employees share the risk if life expectancy rises quicker than forecast. Unions have agreed that BAE workers should shoulder 40 per cent of the responsibility for any changes in life expectancy when calcu-lating future liabilites.